The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan on Wednesday announced the appointment of Prof. Idowu Olayinka as the new Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the institution, Dr Umar Mustapha, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the Senate Chambers of the institution.
He said that the appointment takes effect from Dec. 1.
Mustapha said that the selection of the new vice-chancellor was through a transparent and credible interview process.
“Initially, 13 people showed interest by putting in a formal application and we set up a committee which selected six while eventually three people were picked.
“Out of the three recommended, Prof. Olayinka was chosen based on his performance,’’ he said.
Mustapha described Olayinka as a great scholar who had served the university in various capacities for over 20 years.
“Idowu Olayinka is 57 years and a Professor of Geology as well as the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics,’’ he said.
He said the vice-chancellor was the first scholar to emerge from the Faculty of Science since 1948.
The pro-chancellor charged the new vice-chancellor to make the university a centre of excellence in various fields.
“I advise you to be creative, innovative and shun corruption,’’ he said.
Mustapha said that the university remained a leading institution in terms of learning, adding that it would continue to assist Nigeria in policy development and research.
“Today University of Ibadan is locally relevant, nationally excellent and globally competitive,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the outgoing vice-chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said that the process of transition was carried out in a civil manner, adding that “this is a message to the nation.’’
Adewole promised to assist the new vice-chancellor whenever the need arose.
Olayinka, in his own speech, acknowledged the efforts of the pro-chancellor and promised to take the university to greater heights.
