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- Ojewole, new helmsman assumes office
By Gabriel Dike
The ten years administration of Prof. Ademola Tayo as the 3rd Vice Chancellor of Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, came to an end on Monday as he handed over to a new helmsman, Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole.
Prof. Tayo assumed office in 2015 and his tenure ended on Sunday, November 30th, 2025 and he handed over at an inauguration ceremony held on Monday, December 1st.
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.
“When this administration began its assignment in 2015, we embraced a sacred mandate—to strengthen Babcock University’s identity, expand its academic horizons, modernize its systems, deepen its mission impact, and position the institution as a center of excellence rooted firmly in Adventist values.
“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.”
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Prof. 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 recommended the new administration to pursue aggressive revenue diversification through innovations, investments, and consultancies, strengthening the endowment fund to secure long-term financial stability, infrastructure renewal via grants, and donor partnerships, consolidation of academic quality, especially in health sciences, and postgraduate studies, deeper digital integration for smart campus transformation, enhanced faculty development for global competitiveness and stronger alumni relations to unlock global support networks.
Tayo 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
In his address, the new BU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole said: “I believe Babcock can rise, not only in rankings but 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.’’
He assured stakeholders that he would guard the SDA mission with unwavering integrity and mission compliance and build with clarity and collaboration, and execute with fiscal discipline and accountability as well as create an enabling environment for people development, entrepreneurship, and networking·
Ojewole highlighted his vision and mission for the university and called on staff, students, parents and Church leaders to join his administration to take Babcock to another level.
