A civil society organisation, partnership for ethical governance has commended the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole for the current progress and restructure the university has witnessed within his six months in office.
According to the group, the university is undergoing a significant institutional transformation under the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, with reforms in governance, research, digitalisation, infrastructure and student welfare which has begun to reshape the instruction.
Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, spokesperson for the coalition, Ayo Olgun explained that the observation was derived from an independent assessment tour of the university to evaluate the progress being recorded under the present administration.
Ologun explained that the group had interactions with the university’s principal officers, management, academic and non-academic staff, students and other stakeholders, as well as physical inspections of projects across the two campuses.
He noted that one of the most noticeable changes under the new administration was an improvement in administrative discipline, transparency, institutional direction and confidence among members of the university community.
He said that rather than Ogunwole administration to resort to blame game following the various crisis that rocked the university before his assumption of office, the VC had focused on addressing the structural challenges confronting the university and building systems capable of sustaining long-term institutional excellence.
Ologun particularly commended the Vice-Chancellor’s 8-Point Covenant with the University Community, describing it as evidence of an intentional commitment to measurable institutional reforms rather than mere promises.
The Partnership for Ethical Governance, however, acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly in funding, infrastructure, campus security, library development, communication with the expanding student population and the upgrading of specialised facilities, including the College of Medicine.
Also a member of the coalition, Olawole Oladapo urged the government to provide interventions to accelerate projects in infrastructure, research funding, digital technology, energy development and specialised academic facilities.
While describing the transformation as a continuous process, Oladapo urged stakeholders to protect and institutionalise the reforms being introduced under Ogunwole.
He further cautioned against attempts to frustrate the administration’s reform agenda, saying its insistence on discipline, accountability and due process could unsettle individuals who had benefited from weak systems.
Other members of the coalition, who contributed, affirmed that the assessment had convinced them that the university was “steadily redefining its institutional identity” and repositioning itself as a centre of academic excellence, innovation, responsible governance and national development.
The organisation stressed that although much remained to be done, the direction of the university under Ogunwole was positive and the early indicators of progress deserved national recognition and sustained support.
