The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan Caleb, has commended the outgoing 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Kayode Adebowale, for preserving “UI’s proud heritage while building a resilient and responsive institution equipped to meet emerging challenges”.
The commendation was delivered on Sunday morning, November 1, 2026, during a valedictory ceremony held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, to mark the completion of Prof. Adebowale’s five-year tenure, which officially commenced on November 1, 2021.
The event, themed “Celebrating Leadership, Legacy, and Service,” brought together government officials, university administrators, labor union executives, security agencies, and traditional leaders to honor the outgone university boss.
Presiding as the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Enitan praised Prof. Adebowale’s administration for navigating financial and structural hurdles while steering the institution toward academic excellence and administrative integrity.
He stated that the Federal Civil Service is currently undergoing reforms to enhance efficiency and productivity, reassuring the university community that public tertiary institutions would directly benefit from the ongoing policy implementations.
In his valedictory address, Prof. Adebowale described the premier university as “strong, although imperfect,” acknowledging that while significant progress was recorded in research collaboration and institutional governance, further investments remain crucial for funding and infrastructure.
”Leadership is a burden. Every decision carries the weight of lives and destinies. I have led by listening to the community and through consultations. I have insisted on due process, defended autonomy, and governed with integrity,” Adebowale remarked.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UI Chapter, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, who was represented by the Vice-Chairman, Dr. Tayo Ajibade, applauded Prof. Adebowale for maintaining a staff-friendly disposition throughout his leadership.
The union urged the incoming 14th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Olapegba, whose tenure officially begins on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to sustain the prioritize-welfare policy established by his predecessor.
