By Kehinde Jacobs
AKURE— Ondo State Governor, His Excellency Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Professor Tomola Marshal Obamuyi as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, marking a new chapter for one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned universities.
The appointment, announced on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Governor’s office, takes immediate effect and follows a rigorous selection process conducted in line with the university’s Act and extant regulations.
According to a press statement signed by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the decision was based on the recommendation of the AAUA Governing Council, which is chaired by Dr. Tunji Abayomi.
The Governing Council said Prof. Obamuyi emerged first among 15 candidates who were interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board of the institution.
“The Council, chaired by Dr. Tunji Abayomi, had recommended Prof. Obamuyi for the position after emerging first among 15 candidates interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board of the institution,” the statement read.
He will succeed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, whose tenure has been credited with stabilizing the university’s academic calendar and expanding infrastructure across the Akungba-Akoko and Ikare campuses.
Professor Obamuyi is a distinguished scholar of Banking and Finance with a career spanning several decades in teaching, research, and university administration.
Until his appointment, he was a Professor in the Department of Banking and Finance at AAUA, where he also served as Head of Department. His administrative footprint extends beyond Ondo State. He was the first substantive Dean of the School of Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, a role in which he helped shape the school’s early academic and policy direction.
His scholarly excellence has earned international recognition. In 2015, he was awarded the “Best Professor of Banking and Finance in Africa” by the Africa Education Leadership Awards in Mauritius. He has also served Nigeria’s higher education sector at the policy level as a Member of National Universities Commission, NUC, Programme Accreditation Teams.
Beyond Nigeria, Prof. Obamuyi has contributed to academic quality assurance in Southern Africa. He served as Chairperson and Subject Expert of the Review Panel for the National Council for Higher Education in Namibia.
His research profile is global. He has presented conference papers in Finland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, and the United States of America, reflecting a wide network of academic collaboration.
Announcing the appointment, Governor Aiyedatiwa said he was confident that Prof. Obamuyi’s track record would build on the progress already recorded at AAUA and position the university for greater achievements in teaching, research, and community service.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence that Professor Obamuyi’s wealth of experience will consolidate the gains recorded by AAUA and take the university to greater heights,” the statement said.
The Governor also charged the incoming Vice-Chancellor to remain guided by the core values for which AAUA is known, while promoting peace, innovation, and collaboration among staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders.
He further reaffirmed the Ondo State Government’s commitment to the university. “He further assured that the Ondo State Government remains committed to providing the necessary support for AAUA to maintain its status as one of Nigeria’s leading state universities,” the CPS stated.
University insiders say the appointment signals a focus on research visibility, financial sustainability, and stronger industry linkages. With his background in Banking and Finance, Prof. Obamuyi is expected to drive initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship, digital learning, and partnerships with the private sector.
The statement noted that he “will bring to the office decades of academic excellence, administrative experience, and a strong record of research and institutional development.”
Founded in 1999, AAUA has grown to become one of the most competitive state universities in the country, with a student population of over 20,000 across multiple faculties. The institution has, in recent years, prioritized accreditation compliance, ICT integration, and expansion of postgraduate programmes.
Stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, AAUA branch, student leaders, and alumni groups, are expected to meet with the new Vice-Chancellor in the coming days to outline expectations for his tenure.
The Governing Council is expected to formally announce a handover date in line with university tradition. Outgoing VC, Prof. Ige, is billed to complete his tenure after years of service that saw AAUA maintain uninterrupted academic sessions despite national disruptions.
For many at Akungba-Akoko, the arrival of Prof. Obamuyi represents continuity with a push for innovation. As a home-grown academic who rose through the ranks at AAUA, expectations are high that he will leverage his internal knowledge and external networks to elevate the university’s ranking and impact.
With the Governor’s backing and a clear mandate to foster collaboration, Prof. Tomola Marshal Obamuyi begins his tenure at a time when Nigerian universities are under pressure to deliver quality, affordability, and global relevance.
