Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele as the next Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Ayodele, a Professor of Education Management, served as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) before his appointment.
Prof. Ayodele’s nomination as Vice Chancellor takes effect on August 20, 2024.
He succeeds Prof. Edward Olanipekun, whose service as Vice Chancellor of the University ends on August 19, 2024.
Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele was born on August 13, 1963, in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area, Ekiti State. He attended Annunciation School in Ikere-Ekiti from 1974 to 1979. Between 1982 and 1985, he attended the Ondo State College of Education in Ikere-Ekiti to complete his Nigeria Certificate in Education.
He obtained a First Class Bachelor of Education (B.ed) degree in Economics from the Ondo State University, (now Ekiti State University), Ado- Ekiti in 1992. He also bagged a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1997; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from same University in 2000.
Prof Ayodele began his lecturing career as a Graduate Assistant at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, in 1995 and advanced to the rank of Professor in 2012.
He had previously served the University in various capacities, including Assistant Director, Affiliate Programmes (2006-2008), Acting Head of the Department of Educational Foundations and Management (2010-2012), Dean of the Faculty of Education (2018-2020), Director, Directorate of Continuing Education Programmes/Distance Learning (2020-2022), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) 2022-date.
Governor Oyebanji, a Visitor to the University, urged the new Vice Chancellor to bring his wealth of experience as an academic and seasoned administrator to bear in the endeavour to further reposition the University as a world-class institution of learning even as he wished him a successful tenure.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the outgoing EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for his outstanding service to the university and wished him success in his future endeavours.