Otitoju Femi and Bukola Osesusi
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, has urged the Governing Council of Hillside University of Technology, Okemesi-Ekiti, to grant the institution’s management the autonomy needed to effectively run the affairs of the university and drive its growth.
Prof. Ogunwole made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Hillside University of Technology at the FUOYE Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room during a courtesy visit aimed at fostering collaboration between the two institutions.
According to him, the success and development of any university depend largely on the ability of its management team to perform its statutory responsibilities without undue interference.
“I want to appeal to the Governing Council of Hillside University of Technology to allow the university management the freedom to run the institution. If a university is to develop properly, the council must give management the necessary latitude to operate. The day-to-day administration of the university rests with the management,” he said.
Reflecting on the challenges associated with building a young institution, Ogunwole noted that every successful university started small and grew through perseverance and commitment.
“The truth is that everything starts small, including FUOYE. There is no pioneering work that is easy, and in many cases, pioneers are not immediately rewarded. However, when the institution grows and succeeds, history will remember those who laid the foundation and impacted lives,” he stated.
The FUOYE Vice-Chancellor also expressed the university’s readiness to establish a mutually beneficial partnership with Hillside University, particularly in the areas of research, academic development, and institutional growth.
“I want to assure you that FUOYE is willing and ready to partner and collaborate with Hillside University as equals. Private universities are playing increasingly important roles in Nigeria’s higher education sector, and their contributions to national development cannot be overlooked,” he said.
Ogunwole further advocated the extension of interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to private universities, arguing that access to research funding would significantly enhance their capacity to contribute to national development.
“The TETFund Act should be reviewed to allow private universities benefit from research support. Research is critical, especially for young institutions. When universities conduct impactful research, the entire nation benefits. On our part, we will continue to explore areas where we can strengthen collaboration because we are interested in partnerships that create value for all parties involved,” he added.
He also advised the institution to maintain moderate tuition fees while pursuing sustainable growth.
“Do not make your school fees excessively high. As the institution develops, adjustments can be made gradually,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Hillside University of Technology, Professor Iheanyi Okoro, expressed appreciation to the FUOYE management for the warm reception and willingness to share its experiences.
He explained that the visit was motivated by the desire of the relatively young institution to learn from FUOYE’s remarkable growth trajectory and explore opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and research partnerships.
“We appreciate the Vice-Chancellor and management of FUOYE for receiving us. We are here because we believe there is much we can learn from your experience. Managing a university comes with many challenges, and we seek your guidance, mentorship, and collaboration, particularly in research and institutional development,” Okoro said.
He noted that FUOYE’s rapid expansion, which has seen the university grow to a student population of over 50,000, offers valuable lessons for emerging institutions.
“We have heard a lot about FUOYE and are proud that such a success story is located in Ekiti State. Both the Governing Council and management of our university are committed to growth and development, and we want to learn from your achievements,” he added.
A member of Hillside University’s Governing Council, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, also commended both the current and past leadership of FUOYE for transforming the institution into one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing universities.
“I knew FUOYE when it was just starting. I must commend the present and past leadership for the tremendous work they have done in building the university,” he said.
Olatona further praised the conduct of FUOYE students, describing it as evidence of effective leadership and sound institutional values.
“When we arrived this morning, we observed how respectful and well-behaved the students were. That tells us they are receiving proper training. I love FUOYE and I wish the university continued growth and progress,” he remarked.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Hillside University, Professor Babatunde Adebeain, recalled Prof. Ogunwole’s reputation for staff welfare and visionary leadership during his previous service at Bowen University.
“I remember hearing about the welfare packages you introduced while at Bowen University. Although I did not know you personally then, your achievements were widely acknowledged. We appreciate you and your team for welcoming us and opening the door for future collaboration,” he said.
Among those present were members of the FUOYE management team, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages), Professor Afolabi Babatunde; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joshua Babatunde Omotosho; the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim; the University Librarian, Dr. Olajide Olabode; and the Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Koyejo Oyeyimika.
Also in attendance from Hillside University was the Registrar, Dr. Mercy Lyon.
