Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Minister of State for Finance, and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of KolaDaisi University KolaDaisi University, Mr. Remi Babalola; the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, and other prominent stakeholders have charged the new VC of the institution, Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji, to provide visionary leadership driven by innovation, integrity, character development and digital transformation to position the university among Africa’s leading universities.

Obasanjo and the academic leaders gave the charge on Tuesday during Morenikeji’s investiture as the university’s first female Vice-Chancellor, urging her to consolidate the achievements of her predecessors while preparing graduates capable of addressing national and global challenges.

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Managing Director of OOPL Foundation, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, Obasanjo congratulated Morenikeji on her appointment, describing it as a recognition of academic distinction and administrative competence.

He said universities 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 urged the new Vice-Chancellor to uphold character alongside learning, stressing that knowledge without character constitutes a danger to society.

“Lead with courage and inclusivity. University administration demands firmness paired with empathy. Be a bridge-builder across faculty, staff, students and external partners,” he added.

Obasanjo also lauded the Founder and Chancellor of KolaDaisi University, Chief Kola Daisi, CON, for what he described as a visionary investment in human capital through the establishment of the institution.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor, Babalola, described the investiture as a defining moment in the university’s history and called on Morenikeji to provide leadership anchored on innovation, integrity and digital transformation.

According to him, 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.

He disclosed that the Governing Council envisions a globally competitive university with national relevance and local impact, stressing the need to institutionalise excellence in teaching, research and community service.

Babalola identified digital transformation as a key priority, saying the university must leverage technology to improve learning, administration and global competitiveness.

 

The Pro-Chancellor described research as “the lifeblood of any great university” and urged the institution to support high-impact scholarship capable of addressing national development challenges.

He also called for financial sustainability through strategic partnerships, innovative resource mobilisation and prudent management.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun, charged Morenikeji to lead with wisdom, serve with humility and build on the solid foundation laid by her predecessors.

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

“The Board of Trustees and the Governing Council have confidence in your capacity to take the university to greater heights.

“Scale up academic and research output, drive partnerships, grants and entrepreneurship initiatives, and position KolaDaisi University as a university of choice in Nigeria and indeed Africa for innovation, science and technology,” Osuntogun said.

He lauded the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, SAN, 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 KolaDaisi University 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 KolaDaisi University 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.

“Our aspiration should not simply be to become one of Nigeria’s respected private universities. Our aspiration must be to become one of Africa’s leading universities recognised for academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, entrepreneurship, ethical leadership and service to humanity,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor called on staff, students, alumni, parents and development partners to work together in building an institution whose impact would extend beyond its campus.

“Our greatest legacy will not be the buildings we construct but the lives we transform, the knowledge we create, the values we uphold and the hope we inspire in generations yet unborn. This is our time to build,” she added.

In his remarks, a former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, prayed for the success of the new VC.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of several institutions, including the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Lead City University, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State University, and other stakeholders in the nation’s higher education sector.