His public life has consistently reflected respect for all and sundry, just as he personifies a new model of leadership: confident in reform, fluent in evidence, and relentless in execution. Prof. Tajudeen Bolanle Opoola who is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), remains one of my bosses who are making life bearable for me in this new environment I find myself. He was a member of the panel of interviewers who interacted with me at my interview as Director of Public Affairs and Communication (DIPAC), but I never knew him well until he represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole at Ilupeju community, where the community handed over to FUOYE, property, including blocks of classrooms and other appurtenances of learning, worth several millions of Naira.
Surprisingly on the occasion, I was dazed when Prof. Opoola called me out and introduced me to the gathering as the newly appointed Director of Public Affairs and Communication of FUOYE before he delivered the Vice Chancellor’s address. Since then, I have been monitoring and studying his public conducts. Currently, he is the Acting Vice Chancellor since, “Coach”, the amiable and amazing VC himself, travelled on official duties. Impressively, Prof. Opoola has been living up to expectations as he handles every official assignment with class and candour.
Unassuming, yet, disarming in his simple mien, this Acting Vice Chancellor whose life is marked with resilience and resourcefulness is always seeking innovative solutions to complex challenges. Privileged to have been invited to the Management meetings as an observer by the VC, I have really studied Prof. Opoola at close quarters with his contributions to issues becoming helpful and progressive. He was amazing at the last Management meeting which he presided over in the absence of his boss. In his usual charismatic and charming flair, he would introduce humour when he noticed that the atmosphere was becoming boring. The participants, mainly principal officers would roar back to life, laughing heartily on account of Prof.Opoola’s hilarious jokes. We didn’t know when we spent over four hours at the meeting!
Blessed with a sweet and mellifluous voice, this Professor of Linguistics who brings to task a rare blend of academic depth and administrative pragmatism has built his profile in principles, hard thinking and single mindedness. He is a radiance of grace and love. The way he relates with people is cordial and endearing. With all the trademark smile that is all his, he greets you with cordiality with which you forget your problems. Clearly, “Baba”, as he is being affectionately addressed is obviously confident without being cocky.
Prof Opoola significant strengths include collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. His leadership styles involve active listening, continuos learning and collaboration with teams and stakeholders. Indeed, his rise to the high and enviable position he occupies today did not come by accident, rather, it is a culmination of his years of diligence and commitment. He is a man and personage for whom I place considerable respect. Many people love him because he is confident. This is in tandem with the belief that people gravitate towards a confident leader because confidence is contagious.
Prof. Opoola hailed from the royal family of Oloogunebi dynasty of Iseyin Local Government area of Oyo State.
He bagged his PhD in 2000 from the University of Calabar. The erudite Professor of Applied Linguistics has served in several capacities including , Dean, Faculty of Arts, FUOYE, member Governing Council, FUOYE, member, African Theater Association, Goldsmith University, London, member Nigeria Institute of Management (mnim). He was Patron, Association of Nigerian Authors, Oyo State, 2016, he is also a Fellow of many professional and academic bodies including the Institute of Policy Management Development (fipmd) 2013, member and University Senate Representative in FUOYE Governing Council, and Ag. Head, Linguistics and Languages Department Federal University, Oye Ekiti (2017- 2030), Member, Reconstituted University, Curriculum Committee, Federal University, Oye Ekiti ( 2017), Chairman FUOYE-BOVAS Philanstrophic Committee 2019, Chairman, Panel of Investigation on FUOYE Alumni Activities 2019, and Member, Faculty of Arts Representative in the University Tetfund Committee, among others
Prof. Opoola has served in the Accreditation Teams of NUC to some Nigerian Universities. His Academic sourjourn has taken him to several Universities in the world, including the US, ANGOLA, INDONESIA,UNITED KINGDOM, THAILAND and others. Opoola has also served as an External Assessor of Professorial candidates of some Nigerian Universities. He is a scholar and a researcher of repute whose trailblazing disposition continues to shape FUOYE’s successes.
