By Andrew Joseph
Professor Sunday Abayomi Fasina, an erudite scholar and distinguished professor of soil science, took over from Professor Kayode Soremekun on February 11, 2021, as the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), after emerging winner of the transparent selection process supervised by the then Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the University Governing Council, Dr. Mohammed Lawan.
When Professor Fasina emerged triumphant from the selection process and was announced as the successor of Professor Soremekun, many who knew him as a lecturer in Ekiti State University (EKSU) where he rose to become the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, and was the Chairman, Association of Deans of Agriculture of all Nigerian Universities, and later Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) of FUOYE, had no doubt that he was going to transform and take the ivory tower to greater heights.
With less than four months to the end of his five-year tenure, Fasina has shown from all indications that indeed he possessed all it takes to hold the dignified position of the VC within the university environment. The astute researcher and educationist of note with over 140 publications in his kitty, succeeded in proving his admirers right in their conviction that he would perform as FUOYE VC.
While the previous VCs played their part and made their different contributions to FUOYE’s growth and development, Fasina is widely regarded as the most exceptional VC in the history of the 14-year-old institution. Upon assumption of office, the professor of pedology hit the ground running, leveraging his outstanding administrative expertise, strategic vision and unwavering dedication to excellence to drive success in his role as FUOYE VC. A visionary leader and resourceful problem-solver, Fasina is known for his innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of meaningful progress.
Under his proactive, pragmatic and purposeful leadership, FUOYE has witnessed accelerated growth with massive expansion in physical infrastructure and academic programmes. Today, the two main campuses of the university in Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti proudly feature several modern structures, standing as a lasting legacy of Fasina’s vision and administrative prowess. He has successfully increased the number of faculties in the university said to take immense pride in prioritizing the delivery of high-quality academic programmes that meet and exceed regulatory standards, from 8 to 18 faculties.
Under Fasina’s stewardship, FUOYE which now has a student population of nearly 60,000 rising from 15,000 where he met it on February 11, 2021, has grown tremendously to become the fourth most sought-after university in Nigeria from data made available by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Likewise, under his watch, FUOYE is today among the 11 best universities in the country according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings.
Fasina, seen by many as the VC with the Midas touch, has taken FUOYE far ahead of its peers, to the point of even dusting most older universities in national and international ratings. He came on board as the VC well prepared for the job with a well-defined roadmap that cleared the way for the remarkable feats he has recorded in the last four years and about nine months that he has been in the saddle.
A member of All African Soil Science Society (AASSS), Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), and Fellow of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (FSSSN) and Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON), Prof. Fasina created a conducive environment that paved the way for several students and staff to receive prestigious awards and laurels for outstanding research and academic exploits. Only recently, for instance, four of FUOYE lecturers were named among the world’s top 2% scientists.
As a result of the academic excellence and high standards entrenched by Fasina’s administration, several FUOYE students who sat for professional exams, particularly, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), came out in flying colours and became chartered accountants before their graduations. Many FUOYE students had in different external competitions defeated their counterparts from other universities to secure scholarships from the Federal Government and reputable organisations.
Fasina, seen to still be working tirelessly round the clock to complete some of the projects he initiated within the few months left for him to go, is said to have executed over 150 projects since he assumed office as FUOYE helmsman. Some of the project ideas he visualized and pursued to actualize their execution have really helped to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of FUOYE. Such initiatives that were targeted at boosting the IGR of the 14-year-old ivory tower and have gone a long way in supporting the expansion of infrastructure in the university include: the opening of FUOYE Business School, the establishment of the Institute of Part Time Studies (IPTS), Centre for Continuing Education, FUOYE bakery and staff canteen, FUOYE printing press, FUOYE farm and FUOYE Sandwich programmes. Over forty classrooms were said to have been built from money realised through IGR stemming from Fasina’s numerous initiatives.
Some of the projects executed and commissioned under Fasina’s administration at the Oye-Ekiti campus include Faculty of Education Building, 3 in 1 Faculty of Science Laboratory, Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina’s Conference Centre, Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, 1000-seater auditorium, Professorial Office Centre, School of Postgraduate Studies Complex, Faculty of Law Complex, Innovation Hub, and Sport Complex Pavilion. At the Ikole-Ekiti and Ayedun-Ekiti campuses, some of the projects completed and inaugurated under the stewardship of Fasina are as follows: An ultra-modern laboratory, two new 200-seat modern lecture halls, a sports complex, a JAMB-standard CBT hall, a 3-in-1 1000-capacity Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Laboratory, a professorial building for the Faculty of Agriculture, and a 250-seater lecture theatre.
Some other projects executed under the supervision of Prof. Fasina include the establishment of FUOYE Business and Transport Centres, FUOYE Model Staff School, FUOYE Microfinance, FUOYE Shopping Complex, Institute for Food Security and Commercial Agriculture (IFSCA), Centre for Energy Research and Centre for Psychological Services Clinic, Channelization and Construction of ring roads linking phases 1, 2, and 3 in Oye-Ekiti campus, Construction of the Student Union Building, Construction of befitting University Gate, Improved CBT equipment and decentralization of CBT Centres, creation of FUOYE Internet Distribution System (FIDS), etcetera.
The various stakeholders in the university community are happy and pleased with the accelerated growth experienced by the institution under the transformative leadership of Fasina. At different times the student and staff bodies within and outside the university have hailed Fasina’s sterling leadership qualities. He has received sundry commendations from eminent scholars, influential figures and even members of the National Assembly for his remarkable deeds and outstanding performance as FUOYE VC.
The students of the FUOYE Institute of Part-Time Studies which he established, recently conferred on him an Award of Excellence upon resumption from his six-month research leave, in recognition of his effective administration, exemplary leadership, dedication to academic development and huge contributions to the advancement of education. The Institute which began operation in September, 2021 with about 2,000 students has now grown to about 7,000. The IPTS students led by the outgoing president of the institute’s student association, Comrade Omotosho Ayomide, and the newly elected president, Comrade Oladipo Afolabi, for the award presentation, were appreciative of the VC’s consistent commitment to inclusive and quality education, describing him as “a visionary administrator whose tenure has significantly improved academic stability and enhanced opportunities for students across all programmes of the university, including part-time studies.”
The process for the appointment of a new FUOYE VC that will take over from Fasina upon the official completion of his tenure on February 11, 2026, was kick-started with the announcement of vacancy for the position on August 1, 2025, by the Governing Council under the dynamic leadership of Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Various applications would have been received as interested persons and applicants for the VC position had only six weeks from the date of announcement to apply according to the statement signed by FUOYE Registrar and Secretary of the Governing Council, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim.
FUOYE Senate on October 24, 2025, elected their representatives into the Search and Selection Committees responsible for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor. The election, which according to a report published on FUOYE website and written by Chinedu Okafor, took place during an emergency meeting of the Senate held at the Faculty of Arts Lecture Hall, was conducted under the supervision of the Academic Affairs Division.
The report showed that in the election for the Senate representatives in the Search Committee for the appointment of a new VC, Professor Adeniji Bolaji and Professor Abolarin E.O. emerged as winners, while Professor Bashiru Ajiboye and Professor Tolulope Ariyomo were elected as Senate representatives for the Selection Committee. The exercise was described as “fair, transparent, and reflective of the Senate’s commitment to credible leadership.”
Also, as part of the process towards appointing a new VC for the university, an emergency Congregation meeting was called on October 27, 2025 and held at FUOYE’s 1000-capacity auditorium. The meeting, which according to a report posted on the institution’s website and authored by Toye Fisher, recorded full attendance of congregation members, was presided over by Professor Tajudeen Opoola, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), representing the outgoing VC, Professor Fasina.
As indicated in the report, the Congregation, in accordance with the university’s statutes comprising the VC as Chairman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, Bursar, University Librarian, and all staff members holding a university degree, convened to elect its representatives for the process of appointing a new VC.
According to the report, at the end of the collation of the election results, Professor Lukman Akinola won as the elected representative for the teaching staff, while Dr. Sunday Akinkunmi emerged the representative for the non-teaching staff in the process of appointing a new VC.
It was reported that the election process by the Congregation, just as it was in the case of the Senate, was conducted in an orderly, hitch-free and transparent manner, with both teaching and non-teaching staff partaking fully in the exercise. The atmosphere at the meeting where the election took place was said to have reflected “a strong sense of unity, professionalism and institutional commitment to due process.”
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the VC, Professor Opoola applauded the congregation members for their resilience and active participation in the election while reiterating “the university management’s commitment to upholding integrity, fairness, and inclusivity in the ongoing leadership transition process.” It was noted that “The successful conduct of the emergency Congregation meeting underscores FUOYE’s dedication to transparent governance and participatory administration within the Nigerian university system.”
From the peaceful manner the different elections for the purpose of choosing representatives in the process of appointing a new VC were conducted, it is obvious that the entire members of the university community are completely united and working together to ensure a seamless process in the appointment of a new VC. They appear to have total confidence in the Governing Council led by the respected political figure and erstwhile Senate Leader, Ndoma-Egba, trusting him to transparently see through the whole process that will usher in a new VC for FUOYE.
Andrew Joseph writes from Abuja