The Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti has appointed Professor Joshua Ogunwole as the institution’s fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, during a press briefing held in Abuja.
Ndoma-Egba explained that the selection process, which began in February 2025, was conducted with strict adherence to transparency and due process.
“The process was fully digitalised. Applications were submitted online and initial assessments were done by the system. However, we still conducted manual verification to ensure accuracy,” he said.
He noted that the council received 64 applications after the vacancy was advertised for six weeks, as required by law. The list was later pruned down to six finalists who were screened by the Department of State Services in Ekiti.
“After a thorough and credible exercise, the Council approved Professor Ogunwole Joshua Olalekan as the most suitable and qualified candidate,” Ndoma-Egba added.
Ogunwole, a Professor of Soil Physics in the Department of Soil Science and Land Resource Management at FUOYE, holds his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University and has held various academic and administrative roles, including Director of University Advancement and Linkages at the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma.
He is expected to assume duty in February 2026.
The appointment comes amid earlier protests by a group of staff members who petitioned the Minister of Education, alleging irregularities in the selection process and calling for intervention.
However, Ndoma-Egba dismissed the claims, insisting that the Council maintained fairness.
“Every step followed was in line with the law and best global practices,” he stated.
Ogunwole is now set to lead the university at a time stakeholders are demanding improved academic standards, staff welfare and student development.
