Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Kola Daisi University, Remi Babalola, and other stakeholders have charged the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olajumoke Morenikeji, to provide visionary leadership driven by innovation, integrity, character development and digital transformation.

Obasanjo, at the investiture of Morenikeji as the first female vice-chancellor of the university, described her appointment as a recognition of academic distinction and administrative competence.

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Managing Director of OOPL Foundation, Vitalis Ortese, the former President said universities in the present era require leaders who combine intellectual excellence with moral courage, vision and administrative discipline.

“As you assume full stewardship of this noble institution, pioneer innovation with purpose. Build an environment where academic rigour meets practical problem-solving. Our universities must not merely award degrees; they must produce innovators, thinkers and builders equipped to address Nigeria’s and Africa’s pressing challenges,” Obasanjo said.

The former President further urged the new vice-chancellor to uphold character alongside learning, stressing that knowledge without character constitutes a danger to society.

He enjoined her to lead with courage and inclusivity, noting that university administration demands firmness paired with empathy.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Remi Babalola, who is a former Minister of State for Finance, described the investiture as a defining moment in the university’s history.

He said the Governing Council expects the new administration to usher in renewed vigour, innovation and transformation, while consolidating on the achievements recorded since the university’s establishment.

“The responsibilities of a Vice-Chancellor require courage to lead, wisdom to decide, humility to serve and vision to chart a progressive course for the institution,” Babalola said.

Babalola identified digital transformation as a key priority for the new administration.

He said the university must leverage technology to improve learning, administration and global competitiveness.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun, also charged the new vice-chancellor to lead with wisdom and serve with humility.

Osuntogun expressed confidence in Morenikeji’s leadership abilities, describing her as an accomplished scholar with an outstanding record of academic excellence and service.

He lauded the immediate past vice-chancellor, Prof Adeniyi Olatunbosun, for strengthening the university through programme expansion, improved governance, quality assurance and the establishment of the Postgraduate School.

In his remarks, Olatunbosun appealed to stakeholders to sustain the university’s growth, noting that the institution had recorded significant progress in student enrolment, academic programmes, and professional accreditations since commencing operations in 2017.

Responding, Morenikeji unveiled a bold vision to transform the school into one of Africa’s leading universities through academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, entrepreneurship and ethical leadership.

She said her administration would pursue a 13-point strategic agenda centred on curriculum renewal, research and innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, postgraduate education, entrepreneurship, community engagement, sustainability and good governance.

She called on staff, students, alumni, parents, and development partners to work together to build an institution whose impact would extend beyond its campus.