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...VC credits stable funding and industrial peace for rapid growth
…Varsity is now ranked 15th in ⁴Nigeria, 51st in Africa
Daud Olatunji
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has recorded significant academic and institutional growth in the last four years, with enrollment increasing from 27,000 to 35,000 students and being ranked among the top 15 universities in Nigeria and the 51st best in Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, attributed the achievements to sustained government support, prudent leadership, industrial harmony and strategic investments in academic programmes, research and technology.
Agboola disclosed this while addressing journalists after the opening of a three-day retreat for members of the university’s Governing Council, themed
“Celebrating Service, Leadership and Institutional Growth”, held in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The retreat reviewed the performance of the outgoing Governing Council over the past four years and outlined strategies to support the institution’s growth beyond the Board’s mandate.
The vice-chancellor said the university had exceeded targets set during a similar retreat organized at the start of the council’s term in 2022, describing the exercise as a platform to evaluate performance and provide a roadmap for future administrations.
“When this Board of Trustees took office four years ago, it set clear goals for the university. Today, I am happy to say that we have achieved more than 100% of these goals.
“This retreat is not only to celebrate our achievements, but also to remind ourselves where we come from and lay a solid foundation for those who will take over,” Agboola said.
He said the council has transformed the institution through revival of moribund initiatives, expansion of academic programmes, improvement of infrastructure, digital transformation and successful accreditation of all academic programs in 2024.
According to him, the administration has also strengthened the university’s reputation, making it more attractive to philanthropists and development partners.
Agboola revealed that the university recently secured a P1 billion endowment from business tycoon, Dr. Kunle Soname, for a professorship, describing the donation as a reflection of growing public confidence in the institution.
“We have never been so good. Apart from the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who donated ₦1 billion to the university, Dr Kunle Soname also donated another ₦1 billion, and the money has already been paid into the university’s account,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted improvements in the institution’s global visibility, saying OOU has risen from over 4,000 position in the global ranking four years ago to around 2,700th, emerging as the 15th best university in Nigeria and the 51st in Africa.
“Nigeria now has over 300 universities, but OOU is among the top 20 institutions in the country. We are not doing badly, but we will continue to strive to become number one,” he added.
Agboola linked the rapid growth of the institution to industrial peace, noting that the university has not experienced any strikes, staff unrest or student protests in the last four years.
He credited Governor Dapo Abiodun for creating an enabling environment by respecting the autonomy of the university and ensuring timely financial support.
“For the last four years there has been no strike, no student or staff revolt. Salaries are paid on the 25th of every month and all outstanding salaries have been settled.
“This stability has increased staff engagement and strengthened student confidence in the university. It is one reason why enrollment has increased from 27,000 to 35,000 in four years,” he said.
He explained that timely payment of salaries improved staff well-being and morale, allowing faculty to focus on teaching and research without financial distractions.
According to him, regular payment of salaries has also facilitated workers’ access to credit facilities, improved their family well-being and reduced the temptation to engage in unethical practices.
Agboola also highlighted the university’s investment in information and communications technology, revealing that lecture delivery has been improved through technology that allows for simultaneous broadcast of lectures to three additional classrooms.
He also praised the students for developing innovative technologies and digital solutions that can address social challenges.
The vice-chancellor, however, cautioned against calls for full financial autonomy for public universities, arguing that no university anywhere in the world survives without substantial state funding.
He said universities should be encouraged to generate additional income through research commercialization, innovation, consultancy services and partnerships, but insisted that governments must continue to invest heavily in tertiary education.
“Financial autonomy is not the solution. Universities should generate funds, but the government must continue to fund higher education because education is a public good.
“A university is not just about buildings. It is about research, innovation and knowledge creation. Huge investments are needed to build digital infrastructure, create research laboratories and procure modern equipment.
“For example, purchasing hundreds of laptops for students and researchers can cost as much as building a large classroom, but such investments are necessary if universities want to compete globally,” he said.
Agboola noted that institutions that receive greater government support consistently perform better in national and international rankings, citing the federal universities, Lagos State University and Ekiti State University as examples.
He further noted that the OOU, established 44 years ago, has continued to play a vital role in the development of Ogun State, revealing that eight out of ten judges appointed by successive administrations in the State are graduates of the university.
Speaking at the event, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, called on heads of tertiary institutions to embrace transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Representing Governor Abiodun, Arigbabu said prudent management of government allocations and internally generated revenues would enhance public confidence and encourage greater intervention by government and other stakeholders.
He stressed that while government remains the largest investor in education, universities must increasingly diversify their revenue base through alumni contributions, endowments, research commercialization and technological innovations.
“The government cannot do it alone. Around the world, major universities derive substantial revenue from donations, alumni support and the commercialization of research results.
“Our institutions should grow to a stage where they can sustain themselves through innovation, technology, partnerships and entrepreneurship, while continuing to enjoy government support,” he said.
The Commissioner urged universities to support researchers and students with innovative ideas that can solve social challenges, underlining that commercializing such innovations could generate significant revenue for institutions.
He also praised the Governing Council and management of the university for maintaining cordial working relations, which he said has strengthened stability and made governance easier for the state government.
Arigbabu disclosed that the Ogun State Government will implement more infrastructure projects in the university before the expiry of the tenure of the current Governing Council and urged the outgoing members to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Delivering the keynote speech entitled “Leadership and governance”, the Pro-Chancellor and President of the Governing Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, described effective leadership as a combination of vision, courage, discipline and responsibility.
Ashiru, whose term ends Aug. 25, 2026, said the board has deliberately pursued policies that have strengthened the university’s resilience and enhanced its national reputation.
He listed the main achievements of the Council, including extensive infrastructure development, full accreditation of all academic programs in 2024 and improved institutional visibility.
Praising Agboola’s leadership, Ashiru described the vice-chancellor as “a silent man”, whose performance transformed the university without unnecessary publicity.
He added that the university’s nursing and law programs have become among the most sought after in Nigeria, reflecting the growing academic excellence of the OOU.
“Leadership provides vision and inspiration, while governance requires accountability and direction. Together, we have built a resilient university that is well positioned to achieve greater results in the years ahead,” Ashiru said.
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