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By Gabriel Dike
Academic and administrative activities at Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State were momentarily put on hold on Monday, December 1st, 2025 as Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole was inaugurated as the 4th Vice Chancellor of the 26 years old institution.
It was a complete stand still for several hours as staff, students, leaders of Seventh-Day Adventist Church, family members and well wishers trooped to the University Stadium to witness the official presentation Prof. Ojewole as the new helmsman of BU and also the exit of the 3rd Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo.
The colourful occasion was witnessed by the Chancellor of BU, Prof. Bassey Udoh, Pro- Chancellor, Dr. Ishaya Istifanus, Deputy Pro-chancellor, Dr. Ezekiel Adeleye, former President, West Central Africa Regional Division of Seventh-Day Church headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’voire, Pastor Gilbert Wari, past BU administration under Tayo, the new leadership, Deputy VC, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, acting Vice president Financial Administration, Prof. Folorunso Akande, Vice president, Students Development, Dr. Olaniyi Arije, Deputy Bursar, Dr. Solomon Obida, acting Registrar, Dr. Patience Chioma and the Director of Alumni and Connectivity and Philanthropy, Dr. Jonathan Dangana.
The inauguration titled: A New Chapter, also attracted traditional rulers, mother of the new VC and family member, the 1st and 2nd VCs and former staff.
Charges to new VC
The Chancellor of BU, Prof. Udoh charged Ojewole to keep strictly to the laws of the Seventh Day Adventist Church policy on education.
Udoh tasked the new helmsman and his team to take BU to the next level.
Pastor Wari prayed that God will continue to perform miracles in the university under the new administration and committed the new VC and his team into God’s hand.
“With your inauguration and the exit of Prof. Tayo, we don’t want to hear stories. You are now in charge of BU,” he stated.
The chancellor, pro-chancellor, outgoing and incoming VC as well as top officials of the Church and BU inspected the guard of honour.
Outgone VC speech
The outgoing VC, Prof. Tayo in his last speech as the helmsman of BU, said for ten years, God has honored his administration with the opportunity to labour together in His vineyard—building, innovating, nurturing, believing, and advancing His mission.
The speech titled: A Journey of Grace, Tayo, said; “What we commemorate today is the legacy of a community that has prayed together, sacrificed together, and worked together to lift Babcock University to new heights of integrity, excellence, and service.
In his valedictory address titled: Consolidating a Decade of Transformation 2015 -2025, Tayo said: “What we commemorate today is the legacy of a community that has prayed together, sacrificed together, and worked together to lift Babcock University to new heights of integrity, excellence, and service.
“Our focus was not only to improve systems, structures, and facilities, but to deepen the spiritual, academic, and character formation of every student who passes through our gates.”
Tayo listed his achievements in the last ten years to include Governance, digital transformation, and ICT revolution, network expansion and smart infrastructure, CCTV and campus-wide digital security, automation and software innovation, Babcock University Television and media expansion, academic strengthening, research, and innovation, programme expansion and accreditation excellence.
Others are research growth and global visibility, research funding and grants, internationalization and partnerships, mission advancement and spiritual legacy strengthening the adventist mission, capacity development across Africa spiritual nurture on campus academic and health infrastructure, infrastructure development and student experience enhancement, student life and wellness, staff welfare and campus modernization, financial stewardship and sustainability.
The outgone VC said one of the defining achievements of his tenure is the financial turnaround his administration accomplished together, adding, “when we assumed office, we inherited a substantial debt of ₦17.536 billion, about $11.48 million. This debt was not as a result of reckless and frivolous spending by the last administration but rather the aftermath of strategic thinking and foresight.”
He disclosed that his administration conducted 47 national and international accreditation cycles—all with excellent outcomes and also maintained full accreditation from AAA, IBE, NUC, and all relevant professional bodies.
Tayo said BU under him expanded 11 academic schools with undergraduate, postgraduate, and JUPEB programmes.
Introduced more than 12 new interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
“Secured approval for six new B.Sc. and B.Eng. programmes including Architecture, Estate Management, and Engineering fields.
Established new schools such as Environmental Studies and Engineering.
We also undertook a comprehensive review of 35 programmes, ensuring relevance, industry alignment, and global competitiveness.”
According to him, through prudent financial stewardship, his administration executed over 50 major capital projects valued at approximately ₦13.9 billion.
Prof. Tayo listed challenges his administration faced, which are rising operational costs; funding for infrastructure expansion; student housing demand, faculty retention in a competitive national climate; increasing the need for digital transformation; scholarship and financial aid demand; expanding mental health and chaplaincy needs.
He counseled the new VC to make God your first and unbreakable anchor, listen more than you speak, especially in the first 100 days, prioritize people—students, faculty, and staff, protect our spiritual heritage fearlessly, innovate boldly; collaborate widely; lead compassionately and care for your health and your family—they are part of your ministry.
Bows out in grand style
After handing over to the new helmsman, Prof. Tayo was pulled out of the Stadium via horse cart accompanied by a platform procession and many staff and students cheered him as left the venue of the inauguration.
Oath taking of office
The 4th VC, Prof. Ojewole reeled out his development vision for Babcock University 2025-2030 amidst applause by staff, students and well-wishers.
Ojewole said he come with a vision as well as a tested record of mission-aligned leadership, spiritual conviction, and measurable institutional impact refined through global exposure, anchored in loyalty to mission, and guided by intentional preparation for higher service, adding, that he was shaped by four generations of Seventh-day Adventist faith.
“As we enter a new chapter, our strength shall remain our spiritual identity. My leadership will preserve and deepen Babcock’s Seventh-day Adventist heritage while fostering respectful inclusion. Babcock University is not merely an academic institution but a sacred trust.
“As we enter a new chapter, our strength shall remain our spiritual identity. My leadership will preserve and deepen Babcock’s Seventh-day Adventist heritage while fostering respectful inclusion. Babcock University is not merely an academic institution but a sacred trust.
“A covenant between the Church and the future. A bridge between enduring faith and evolving relevance. As God permits, and with the strength of a united team, I believe Babcock can rise, not only in rankings but also in redemptive impact. Not only in structure, but in service. Not only in reputation, but in righteousness.
“BU is a laboratory of God’s grace and mercy demonstrating His power. Honoring the past. This new chapter marks 66 years of institutional existence and 26 years as a university. We honour our proprietors and leaders. As the 4th President/ VC of Babcock University, I stand on the giant shoulders of my predecessors,’’ he stated
His vision for BU
The new helmsman of BU outlined his vision for the 26-year-old institution, which include to guard the Seventh Day Adventist mission with unwavering integrity and mission compliance, build with clarity and collaboration, and execute with fiscal discipline and accountability, create an enabling environment for people development, entrepreneurship, and networking, anchor every decision in prayer, people, and principle my mission.
He added: “My vision for Babcock University comes from the BU vision statement, mission statement, BU philosophy, BU core values and corporate image statement. My mission to build people! Building servant-leaders for a better world.
“Building people for leadership, transforming lives. The harmonious development of the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual potentials of students; inculcating in them the nobility of character. Building individuals with excellence, integrity, accountability and commitment.”
On admission, he said the process will be as easy as ABC, students view their results soon after exams, transcript processing time and ease without tears, 50% increase in international students and 25% faculty with global exposure, Internationally standardized curriculum with 100% accreditation and certifications with global bodies.
On staff welfare, Ojewole announced that environmental levy will be removed for all categories of junior workers and all employees not resident on campus with immediate effect, mortgage scheme for workers being examined, gratuity for retiring employees will continue, enhanced the leave bonus for employees, better health insurance, reward for hard work, dedication, and commitment irrespective of who/where the individual comes from and improved housing scheme.
The VC announced the introduction of BUVOice, a new initiative that strengthens how the administration listens and how it will serve the university community.
He noted: “BUVoice is our official digital platform for reporting issues, sharing ideas, and receiving timely feedback. Students, staff, and parents can engage transparently, with features like anonymous reporting, the Ideas Hub, and GistPod, our public transparency board.”
The new helmsman disclosed that the he has set up a truth and healing and reconciliation commission that has begins sitting for people seeking redress.
Ojewole acknowledged the achievements recorded by the outgone VC and pledged to take Babcock University to the next level. He appealed to staff and students to join his administration to implement his blueprint, vision and mission for the institution.
