Egbewole encourages new Provost, Deans, Directors to do things differently
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged newly elected/appointed Provost, Deans, Directors and Deputy Directors in the University to do things differently by challenging existing practices, embracing innovation and seeking more efficient ways of delivering services.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge last Monday (August 10, 2026), in his address titled “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected … Leadership, Responsibility and the Transformation of Our University”, delivered at the Orientation Programme organised for the newly appointed University leaders by the Centre for Research, Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) at the University Auditorium.
The Vice Chancellor said innovation was not limited to technology, as it involves thinking differently, developing new solutions and continuously improving existing systems.
He challenged the new Unit heads to regularly review their processes, identify gaps and ask what could be done differently and better, urging them to move beyond the conventional argument that “this is the way we have been doing it”. According to him, leaders should examine whether processes could be simplified, services delivered more efficiently and better outcomes achieved with fewer resources.
Prof. Egbewole disclosed that the immediate past Directors had submitted records of their activities and achievements during their three-year tenure, adding that his review of the reports showed evidence of leadership and commitment by them.
On human capital development, Prof. Egbewole called for greater investment in people, stressing that leadership positions should not be regarded as platforms for claiming superiority over other members of staff.
He urged the leaders to recognise the abilities and contributions of their colleagues, noting that effective leadership involves bringing people together and creating an environment where everyone could contribute meaningfully to institutional development.
While advocating teamwork, the Vice Chancellor cautioned against “ego tripping” and “territorial ambition”, as he urged the participants to see their responsibilities as collective institutional assignments. He said that no University unit could operate effectively in isolation, charging them to make their appointments count through service, collaboration, innovation and measurable improvements.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Research, Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Prof. Abdulkarim Ayopo Oloyede, described the leadership training programme as a deliberate investment in leadership capacity, stating that the quality of leadership directly determines the quality of the institution.
Prof. Oloyede said the training was designed to sharpen participants’ understanding of their roles, refresh their perspectives on governance and equip them with practical tools to navigate the complexities of university administration.
He noted that the programme was particularly significant as the University pursues the Vice Chancellor’s Vision 1:10:500, pointing out that its attainment required not only hard work but also strategic thinking, collaborative leadership and a shared sense of purpose.
The CREDIT Director, who commended the Vice Chancellor, for leading the proceedings with a reflective session aimed at driving the vision to fruition, however, reminded the participants that leadership was not about titles or positions, but about service, influence and impact.
He urged them to embrace their responsibilities with courage, integrity and a shared determination to succeed, stressing that each leader had a role to play in shaping the future of the University.
In his remarks, the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, charged the Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and other administrators to strictly adhere to University laws, regulations and approved communication channels in handling staff matters.
He urged them to process staff requests promptly and cautioned against withholding official requests, stressing that no individual has the authority to prevent a staff member from leaving the University once all requirements have been met.
The Registrar further urged the administrators to properly preserve institutional records and ensure compliance with leave regulations, including sabbatical and leave of absence. He reminded newly appointed officers that leadership appointments carried significant responsibilities that must be diligently discharged.
Meanwhile, the Director of Computer Services and Information Technology (COMSIT), Prof. Sidiqat Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, has appealed to the newly appointed University leaders to support the institution’s digital transformation agenda through collaboration, continuous improvement and effective adoption of its ICT systems.
Prof. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab urged the new leaders to encourage staff and students in their respective units to fully utilise the University Portal, E-Learning and Memo Manager, while ensuring that ICT-related requests and challenges were channelled through IT Officers and the COMSIT Help Desk.
She noted that proper feedback would enable the Directorate to measure performance and continuously improve its services.
The don also called on the new leaders to release staff for COMSIT training programmes to strengthen digital capacity and support the Cybersecurity Unit in promoting safe and responsible use of ICT resources. She stressed that the success of the University’s digital transformation depended on the active support and collaboration of its new leadership.
