By Bamidele Eleniola
The Olusi of Usi Ekiti, His Royal Highness, Oba George Adedayo Akande, Orokoyo II, has reaffirmed the determination of the Usi Ekiti community to partner with the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) in establishing a satellite campus in the town.
The monarch who made this known while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, and members of the university’s management team during a courtesy visit to his palace, declared that the community was fully prepared to provide the necessary infrastructure and support required to make the project a reality. as part of activities marking the annual Usi Day celebration.
Welcoming the delegation, Oba Akande described the visit as historic and a significant step towards fulfilling the community’s long-standing aspiration of hosting a FUOYE satellite campus.
According to the royal father, the quest to bring the university to Usi Ekiti did not begin with the current administration, noting that the community had pursued the initiative since the tenure of the university’s immediate past management.
Engr Oba Akande, attributed the community’s unwavering commitment to its rich educational heritage and favourable environment, stressing that Usi Ekiti already possesses the human and physical resources needed to support higher education.
The monarch highlighted the presence of notable institutions, including the Federal Technical College and Notre Dame College, among other educational facilities, saying these have positioned the town as a natural destination for university expansion.
Oba Akande assured the university management that the entire community remains united in its resolve to partner with FUOYE and would work collectively to satisfy every requirement necessary for the establishment of the proposed satellite campus.
Responding on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Bolanle Opoola, commended the people of Usi Ekiti for their enthusiasm towards expanding access to higher education.
Professor Opoola explained that FUOYE does not request financial donations from communities seeking to host its academic programmes but rather expects them to provide suitable infrastructure and create an enabling environment for teaching, learning, and research.
He recalled that the university had previously declined a monetary donation from another community, insisting instead on facilities that would directly enhance academic activities.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor cited successful examples of community partnerships across Ekiti State, including Ayegbaju Ekiti, where the university’s Part-Time Programme has boosted the local economy, and Ilupeju Ekiti, where a fully furnished multi-billion-naira building donated by the host community now serves as FUOYE’s Nursing Degree Centre.
Professor Opoola, however, clarified that the establishment of any satellite campus or academic programme remains subject to the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following assessments of available infrastructure, facilities, and manpower.
He also emphasised the importance of sustainability through adequate student enrolment and encouraged the community to remain committed to fulfilling all regulatory requirements.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, reaffirmed FUOYE’s readiness to establish a satellite campus in Usi Ekiti once all stipulated conditions are met.
He assured the royal father that the university would only introduce programmes approved by the NUC, maintaining that FUOYE would not compromise its academic standards or regulatory obligations.
Professor Ogunwole advised the community to identify its preferred academic programme after due consultation and formally communicate its decision to the university.
He further disclosed that FUOYE would constitute an inspection committee to assess the proposed site, available infrastructure, and the community’s level of preparedness before taking further action.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that adequate facilities, a sufficient student population, and sustained community commitment would determine the viability of the proposed campus.
In his vote of thanks, the Chief Mayegun of Usi Ekiti, Engineer Debo Ayorinde, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his management team for personally honouring the community’s invitation.
He described the visit as timely, noting that it coincided with the annual Usi Day celebration, when indigenes from across Nigeria had gathered in the town, providing an opportunity for wider consultations on the proposed partnership.
Engineer Ayorinde assured the university management that the community would continue its consultations and formally communicate its preferred area of collaboration, describing the visit as a major milestone towards a lasting partnership between FUOYE and Usi Ekiti.
On the entourage of the Vice-Chancellor were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Babatunde Joshua Omotosho; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (SPRIL), Prof. Babatunde Afolabi; Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Adesina Ibrahim; University Librarian, Dr. Olabode Olajide; Director, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Oyeyemika Koyejo-Fasakin; Director of JUPEB, Prof. Dosu Malomo; Director of Pre-Degree Programmes, Prof. Sakiru Olaide Hammed; Director of the Institute of Part-Time Studies, Prof. Wakili Adelani Tijani; Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Dr Sunday Saanu;Chief Security Officer, Captain Raymond Bitanis (Rtd.); and Protocol Officer, Mr. Abiodun Oloniniyi, among others.
Present at the palace were High Chief Odofin, High Chief Mrs. Eyerangun, Chief Mrs. Eyelara, High Chief Esaba, High Chief Aro, High Chief Enurin, High Chief Solo, Prof.Babatope Alo, Hon Yomi Ayorinde, Ph.D, among other dignitaries.
Photo credit: Nifesimi Ogungbe
