“What I am saying is a covenant with God. By the special grace of God, we will run an administration that is God-fearing, an administration that seeks service and pursues the welfare of everyone, irrespective of their ethnicity, faith, or creed.”— UI 13th Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebowale during Inaugural ceremony. 

These were the assurances given by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adebowale Kayode, upon assuming office. He also promised that students of the University’s Distance Learning Centre would enjoy quality education and a learning experience comparable to that of their counterparts in the conventional programme.

Professor Kayode Adebowale’s tenure was not without notable achievements. His administration recorded progress in infrastructure development, including the construction and rehabilitation of academic facilities and university roads. It also supported research development through initiatives that promoted access to research grants and international collaborations.

However, although these contributions form part of his legacy, they do not tell the entire story of his administration. Several of the assurances he gave members of the university community upon assuming office remained unfulfilled. Rather than translating his promises into tangible improvements in students’ academic experiences and general welfare, his administration introduced a number of policies that adversely affected them.

One of the most contentious issues during his tenure was the increase in tuition fees, which forced some students to defer their admission or, in some cases, abandon their educational pursuits altogether. For many students, the financial burden became increasingly unbearable. 

Equally troubling was the  state of on-campus accommodation. Despite the deplorable conditions of the some public hostels within the university, the University under the outgone Vice-Chancellor oversaw the leasing of university land for the development of private hostels, facilities that remain financially inaccessible to many students. 

Meanwhile, students residing in the public hostels continued to contend with bedbug infestations, inadequate water supply, and other unsatisfactory living conditions. Some were forced to trek considerable distances in search of water for their daily needs.

Rather than prioritising the construction and renovation of affordable, university-owned accommodation facilities, the administration appeared to place insufficient emphasis on expanding the available public hostel capacity. This raises an important question. Why should students continue to endure deplorable living conditions in a university that prides itself on academic excellence?

More disturbing were the various grievances raised by students over issues around fairness, accountability, and administrative justice, many of which appeared not to receive adequate attention from the outgone Vice-Chancellor. Of particular concern were instances in which students paid certain fees without receiving the corresponding services. For example, some students in the Faculty of Education reportedly paid studio fees without participating in any studio-related activities. This situation raises legitimate concerns about financial accountability, transparency, and the proper utilisation of university funds.

Another major shortcoming of the outgone Vice-Chancellor was the apparent neglect of the university’s deteriorating learning environment. Despite the increasing financial demands placed on students through their tuition fees, the conditions under which they received lectures and sat for examinations remained unsatisfactory. Students frequently complained about writing examinations in poorly illuminated lecture theatres, a situation capable of negatively affecting their concentration and academic performance. Others lamented the overcrowding of lecture theatres, sometimes without functional public address systems.

Such conditions are unbecoming of a tertiary institution that is widely celebrated as the First and Best. Academic excellence cannot be sustained merely through reputation. It must also be reflected in the quality of facilities and learning conditions provided for students.

Concerns were also raised about the management of university funds under Professor Adebowale Kayode. Sahara Reporters published allegations concerning the expenditure of university resources on projects described as white elephants. These allegations, and the questions they generated about the administration’s financial priorities, further underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public university resources. The university community deserves clear answers about how its funds are allocated and utilised.

A university should be an environment where ideas are freely expressed, opinions are challenged, and different perspectives are welcomed. Unfortunately, the outgone administration by Professor Kayode Adebowale attracted criticism over its handling of student dissent.

On July 14, 2025, two students, Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin, were suspended over their participation in a placard protest against the systematisation fee hike during the Students’ Union inauguration held on May 13, 2024. More troubling was the university management’s claim that the protest disrupted the inauguration ceremony, a claim that was reportedly challenged during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Ibadan. Rather than respecting the court’s verdict of reinstating the suspended students after being found innocent of the charges leveled against them, the university management subsequently pursued an appeal.

The handling of the August 29, 2024, Students’ Congress also deserves attention. At the congress, the apex decision-making organ of the Students’ Union, members of the student community deliberated on their academic and welfare concerns and adopted several resolutions, including a demand for the total reversal of the tuition fee increase.

However, rather than addressing these demands, the university management declared an unsolicited three-week break, directing students to  depart from the school premises and use the period to settle their outstanding tuition fees. As a result, some students were left stranded with some being fined for not leaving their hostels early.The situation became so difficult that some students resorted to crowdfunding to raise money for their education. 

The plight of Distance Learning Centre students was no less concerning. Despite the promise that they would enjoy an educational experience comparable to that of the regular students, many continued to express dissatisfaction with their learning conditions. As reported by IndyPress, the students complained about poor learning conditions and substandard learning environments despite paying substantial tuition fees. This raises questions about the extent to which the university fulfilled its responsibility to provide quality education to students enrolled in its distance learning programme.

The Jaja Clinic is another important area that deserves attention in the assessment of Professor Adebowale Kayode’s administration. The university clinic is expected to provide students with accessible and timely healthcare, particularly during emergencies. However, students frequently complained about inadequate medical facilities, insufficient resources, and long waiting times. These challenges undermine the clinic’s ability to provide prompt medical attention and could place students at considerable risk during health emergencies.

The responsibility of a Vice-Chancellor, however, extends beyond students and academic staff. It encompasses every member of the university community, including the cleaners who play an essential role in maintaining the institution’s sanitation and general appearance.

During Professor Adebowale Kayode’s tenure, the university’s sanitation workers were outsourced. As reported by IndyPress, some of the outsourced cleaners went for several months without receiving their salaries, despite continuing to perform their duties. Such a situation raises serious concerns about the welfare of these workers and the university’s responsibility towards those whose labour contributes to its daily operations.

Now that Professor Adebowale Kayode has left office, the question before the university community is whether the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Olapegba, will address these longstanding concerns and chart a different course for the institution.

The expectations are high, and the responsibilities are enormous. The new Vice-Chancellor must make students’ academic needs and general welfare a central priority of his administration.

There is an urgent need to improve the condition of university-owned hostels, expand affordable accommodation, and provide conducive learning environments. Policies that impose unnecessary financial burdens on students must be reconsidered, while transparency and accountability in the management of university resources must become non-negotiable principles.

Equally important is the need to respect students’ opinions and recognise their right to constructive criticism. Student dissent should not automatically be interpreted as an act of hostility against the university. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to identify institutional shortcomings and pursue meaningful reforms.

The welfare of Distance Learning Centre students must also receive the attention it deserves. Additionally, the university must prioritise accessible healthcare, and demonstrate genuine concern for every member of its community, regardless of their status.

Professor Peter Olapegba, the responsibility is now yours. The University of Ibadan deserves an administration that does not merely make promises but demonstrates its commitment through concrete actions. You have an opportunity to rebuild confidence, restore trust, and create an environment where students and other members of the university community can thrive. With all due respect sir to your office, we maintain that the ball is in your court to write your name in gold.