Bunmi Olarewaju and Bamidele Eleniola
The 9th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) began in grand style with a press conference held by the Vice-Chancellor on Monday, February 17, 2025, in the University’s Council Chamber.
Professor Fasina commended the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his approval of the NELFUND Loan for students particularly students from Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
This, he said had made many students happy because they now have access to these funds as approval of NELFUND for indigent students had been well-received.
He said : “Students who cannot afford to pay their school fees are happy, and we are very grateful to the President for this milestone initiative, which will significantly motivate the University towards enhanced productivity.”
The Vice-Chancellor outlined the activities scheduled for the 9th Convocation, including Convocation Lecture titled “The Autonomy of the University System,” to be delivered by Architect Sunny Enocho, Permanent Secretary of TETFUND.
There will commissioning of 156 projects across the two campuses in Oye and Ikole Ekiti.
These projects include the Faculty of Law Complex, Professorial Offices, the Fasina International Conference Centre, a 1,000-capacity event hall, and the Postgraduate building, all located on the Oye campus.
At the Ikole campus, projects such as the new Faculty of Agriculture building, IPTS Ayedun campus, and Professorial buildings, as well as 250-capacity classrooms, will be commissioned.
All these events will take place on Wednesday February 19, 2025.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted landmark achievements of his administration in the past four years, which include significant infrastructure developments on campus, with approximately 156 completed projects carrying blue roofs enhancing the university’s landscape.
Professor Fasina said : “Our legacy is the blue roof.
” The construction of the University Ring Road from phases one to three, along with the recent opening of phase four, reflects the administration’s commitment to staff welfare.
This include the promotion of about 30 academic staff to a professorial cadre, and over 1000 non-teaching staff were promoted, payment of relocation allowance, admission slot for members of staff children, staff bus, staff development, as well as initiatives aimed at improving staff motivation for enhanced productivity.
In the last four years, FUOYE has consistently improved its ranking, becoming the third most sought-after university and holding the 12th position among approximately 145 Nigerian Universities.
The Vice-Chancellor also mentioned that some individuals who had made significant contributions to national development would be honored during the convocation ceremonies.
They are Mr. Godwin Kanu Agabi, CON, SAN Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation; Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, SAN, FCI, CON – Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation; Segun Alebiosu, Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria and Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Airline.
However, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina lauded staff of the University, who were making us proud.
He said “Professor Olusola Ojo from the Department of Geology was appointed as the PTDF Chair Professor of Petroleum Geology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Additionally, our football team received recognition awards, finishing in 1st place in Nigeria and 3rd in Africa (FASU).
FUOYE is making significant progress under the current administration.
Prof. Fasina revealed that a total of 8,444 students, of which 177 students made first class, including those from undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, would be conferred with degrees at the convocation.
Photo Credit: Nifesimi Ogungbe.
