Adebayo Adenrele
The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), Professor Joseph Babatola and the entire management of the Institution, on Thursday celebrated the successful completion of the five-year tenure of its former Registrar, Ife Oluwole.
Speaking at a valedictory lecture organised in honour of the former Registrar titled: “Stewardship of Purpose: Navigating The Nexus Of a Registrar’s Career and Destiny”, Professor Babatola commended the former Registrar for introducing reforms that transformed the university’s administrative system and strengthened its career structure.
The Vice Chancellor described Oluwole as a calm and intelligent administrator whose leadership style contributed significantly to the growth and stability of the institution.
According to Babatola, Oluwole demonstrated remarkable composure in the face of challenges and brought administrative ingenuity to the management of university affairs.
Babatola noted that the event was a moment of gratitude and celebration, stressing that Oluwole’s tenure was marked by impactful service rather than setbacks.
“Ife Oluwole is very calm in the face of a storm. He added administrative intelligence to administration and it really helped in approaching matters. He embarked on a series of activities that strengthened the career structure of the university.
“It is a day of joy that this programme is holding today. We thank God for sustaining him throughout the five years. We celebrate God because his case is not that of someone who assumed office and became overwhelmed by calamities. Despite the difficult periods encountered, God saw him through. What you are seeing today is the harvest of the kindness he has sown”.
In his remarks, Ife Oluwole appreciated God for giving him the opportunity to commence and end the tenure without any blemish, between 2021 and 2026.
He expressed gratitude to God, the university management, staff and stakeholders for the support received throughout his tenure, noting that the achievements recorded were the result of collective efforts geared towards advancing the vision of Ekiti State University.Reflecting on his five-year stewardship, he described his achievements as modest contributions to the advancement of EKSU.
The former Registrar stated that his administration prioritised digital transformation, administrative efficiency, staff development and institutional reforms aimed at improving service delivery.
Among the major milestones recorded during his tenure was the digitisation of transcript and certificate application processes, which significantly increased portal traffic and improved access to academic records.
He explained that the reforms eliminated the hardship previously associated with certificate collection, enabling graduates to obtain their certificates within hours of submitting the required documents.
Oluwole also disclosed that the transcript processing system was overhauled to eliminate racketeering and unnecessary delays, ensuring that transcripts are now issued within 72 hours in most cases.
To curb forgery and improve global verification, he said a new certificate format was introduced with enhanced security features and expanded student information, making verification possible from anywhere in the world without necessarily visiting the university campus.
He further noted that one of the landmark achievements of his administration was ensuring that certificates and transcripts of graduating students were ready for collection on convocation day.
In the area of student administration, the former Registrar said the admission and registration system was restructured to allow newly admitted students to complete screening, registration and matriculation number acquisition remotely, eliminating prolonged on-campus registration exercises.
He added that student identity cards are now issued on matriculation day, replacing the previous practice where many students received them only during preparations for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation.
According to him, the NYSC screening process was also digitised, enabling eligible students to complete necessary documentation without physical presence on campus.
For staff administration, Oluwole highlighted the digitalisation of staff appraisal systems for both teaching and non-teaching employees, a development he said enhanced transparency, efficiency and timeliness.
He also noted that promotion letters are now issued immediately after approval by the University Council, eliminating delays that previously characterised the process.
The former Registrar said he reviewed and restructured the university’s career progression framework to address stagnation and facilitate timely advancement for affected staff categories.
As part of efforts to improve professionalism within the Registry, he introduced weekly capacity-building and professional development programmes for staff, revived the Registry Annual Lecture Series and Awards and instituted valedictory lectures for retiring directors to preserve institutional memory and share experiences with younger officers.
He further launched an annual end-of-year and send-forth programme for Registry staff, aimed at boosting morale, fostering recognition and strengthening collegial relationships.
Oluwole also pointed to his efforts in reconciling and integrating previously fragmented administrative units within the Registry, creating what he described as a more cohesive and purpose-driven administrative family.
Other achievements listed include the introduction of an electronic recruitment system to improve transparency and efficiency in staff recruitment, the revision of the Standing Orders of Council and Senate to reflect the current name of the university, and the production of a new ceremonial mace, symbolising the institution’s authority.
On their part, the Chairman of the occasion and acting Registrar of the Institution, Omojola Omowunmi Awosusi and Olukayode Akindele commended the former Registrar, Ife Oluwole, for his exemplary leadership, dedication and outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the university during his five-year tenure.
They described his service as impactful and transformative, noting that his administrative acumen, commitment to excellence and calm disposition greatly enhanced the institution’s progress and left a lasting legacy worthy of emulation.
Other highlights of the event were presentation of gifts from different groups and association to celebrate the successful and impactful completion of his administration.
