Daily Independent Newspapers picks FUOYE VC, Fasina as best Vice-Chancellor of 2024

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina has bagged Daily Independent Newspapers best Vice-Chancellor award for the Year 2024.

The award came following a series of infrastructure developments in the 14-year old university under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor in the last four years.

The Vice-Chancellor, whose tenure began in 2021, had been transforming the university after pledging to make the university a first- class ivory tower within a remarkably short timeframe, setting a benchmark for professionalism as over 156 projects were initiated and completed in record time in the last four years.

A statement by the school said “FUOYE under Fasina recorded a historic achievement with its debut in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings which earned the university number seven of over 200 universities in Nigeria.

“Also, FUOYE under Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina was awarded a cutting – edge Connected Autonomous to Space Environment Sensor (CASES) from Virginia Tech with an official award valued at $15,000 with a view to enhancing teaching and research.

“Specifically, infrastructure, academics, human resources and student matters took new dimensions in the tenure of Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina especially as the university became fourth most sought-after following the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s verdict which ranked it number 4 for four consecutive years.

“While surpassing his predecessors in setting FUOYE on the highest pedestal even as the university had become a beautiful bride in terms of a series of engagements with both the private and public sectors, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina has birthed introduction of over 30 new programmes which were verified and certified by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“For instance, in accreditation of programmes, about 94.4% were achieved as no fewer than 40 full accreditation recorded in Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina’s drive for excellence.”

A few of these achievements came in handy when the Board of Editors of Independent Newspapers Limited penned Prof. Fasina of his nomination for the prestigious award as the best Vice-Chancellor for the Year 2024.

In a letter to Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, titled, “Notification of nomination as Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2024,” the Board of Editors of Independent Newspapers Limited said it unanimously voted Professor Fasina among Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities in Nigeria as Independent Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2024.

It reads. “This award is in recognition of the excellence you have engineered in the young and fledgling ivory tower through transformational leadership, vision, innovation and turning it into a centre of academic excellence in Nigeria just less than 15 years of its establishment.

“In this regard, the Board of Editors notes that the Times of Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, this year, placed FUOYE in the first seven among Nigerian universities.

“Also noteworthy is the fact that the university has under your leadership received other remarkable recognitions through world – class academic programmes that have elevated its offerings and reputation, enhanced by strategic appointments.

“Under your leadership, FUOYE has witnessed significant infrastructure development such as new roads, administrative buildings, lecture halls, hostels and other facilities that are critical for profound academic productivity.

“New programmes are being introduced and old ones updated. Thus, FUOYE has now become a highly – rated university of choice among students applying for university admission.

“The Board of Editors is impressed by the fact that the university has prioritized staff development by providing capacity-building opportunities for them and ensured that they are up-to-date with global trends.

” In addition, you have shown significant commitment to students ‘ welfare and creativity in order to inculcate in them the much-prized academic culture and sensibility as well as boost their overall university experience.

“Your nomination by Independent Board of Editors was informed by these verifiable achievements in office and the fact that your leadership style has made a positive impact on FUOYE and its stakeholders as seen in the stability of its academic calendar, all of which are in line with the aim of this award: Celebrating Landmark Accomplishments.”