Elizade University Targets Self-Reliance, MBBS as New University Governing Council Takes Charge
…Adebise Unveiled As New Council Chairman, Pro-Chancellor
Elizade University has ushered in what its leadership described as a new era of strategic growth, impactful governance and institutional excellence with the inauguration of its 4th Governing Council.
The inauguration which held at the Council Chamber of the University brought together the Founder and Visitor, Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, OON; members of the Board of Trustees; the newly appointed Governing Council; University Management and other stakeholders where Mr Ademola Adebise was announced as the new chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the University.
At the ceremony, the Founder charged the new Council to build on the achievements of previous administrations while steering the institution towards greater institutional independence and sustainable growth.
Ade. Ojo, who spoke with a mixture of satisfaction and renewed determination, said his decision to establish Elizade University was driven by a desire to provide quality education for Nigerian youths and reduce the attraction of foreign universities.
He disclosed that the University, which received its operational licence from the Federal Government in February 2012 and admitted its first students in January 2013 with 13 programmes and two faculties, had grown substantially and now offers 35 academic programmes, all fully accredited by the National Universities Commission and relevant professional bodies.
The Founder, who said he had committed several billions of naira to the development of the institution, however, declared that the University must now begin to strengthen its capacity for self-reliance.
“The time has come for the University to strive for self-reliance,” he said, urging the new Council to lead an aggressive endowment drive by connecting Elizade University with corporate organisations, philanthropists and other people of goodwill.
He said his continued financial commitment to the institution would remain strong, stressing that his determination to nurture Elizade University to maturity had not waned.
Ade. Ojo also gave a firm charge against divisive politics within the new Council, urging members to work together as a team for the overall development of the University.
According to him, the success of the institution depends on unity, cooperation and a shared commitment to its vision.
He commended the immediate past Governing Council, led by Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, for laying what he described as a solid foundation for the continued development of the University.
The Founder welcomed the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mr. Ademola Adebise, former Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, expressing confidence that the new leadership would take the University to greater heights.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Oguntunde, described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter of strategic growth and impactful governance.
He said the Governing Council remained critical to the overall governance of the University, particularly in policy formulation and enforcement, adding that its members had a major responsibility to position Elizade University for global competitiveness.
Oguntunde commended the Board of Trustees for reconstituting the Council shortly after the expiration of the tenure of the previous Council, saying the action ensured continuity and prevented a governance vacuum.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the need for the University to reduce its dependence on the Founder through stronger endowment and institutional partnerships.
He appealed to Council members to leverage their networks to attract corporate organisations and other development partners to the University, assuring that Management was ready to work closely with the Council towards achieving greater financial and institutional independence.
“The time has come for the University to strive for self-reliance,” the Vice-Chancellor said, while calling for a concerted endowment effort involving corporate bodies and people of goodwill.
In a significant development, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that Elizade University had recently hosted the National Universities Commission (NUC) for resource verification of its proposed Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
He said the University was awaiting the outcome of the exercise and would subsequently invite the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for an advisory visit.
Subject to favourable responses from the regulatory bodies, he said the University planned to commence its medical programme in the 2026/2027 academic session.
Oguntunde further assured that Management would work harmoniously with the new Council to strengthen communication, transparency and accountability, while elevating academic standards, expanding research engagement and developing infrastructure.
In his acceptance speech, the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mr. Ademola Adebise, described his appointment as both an honour and a profound responsibility.
Adebise said the inauguration was more than a ceremonial transition, describing it as “the beginning of a new chapter” in the history of the University — one demanding stewardship, integrity, diligence and purposeful leadership.
He pledged that the new Council would uphold the trust reposed in it by the Board of Trustees and work to advance the mission and vision of Elizade University.
He said the Council would be guided by the University’s core values of integrity, honesty and diligence, with the overriding objective of strengthening Elizade’s position as a centre of academic excellence.
Calling on members of the Council to bring their expertise, creativity and commitment to bear on their responsibilities, Adebise pledged that the Council would provide an environment where valuable ideas would be heard and given serious consideration.
He expressed confidence that the collective capacity and determination of the new Council would take Elizade University to greater heights.
Adebise also paid tribute to the Founder for his sustained investment in the education of Nigerian youths, describing his contribution as evidence of a profound commitment to the nation and a vision that transcended commercial considerations.
He equally commended the immediate past Pro-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, and previous Councils for laying a strong foundation for the University’s growth in reputation, academic standing and institutional credibility.
The new Pro-Chancellor concluded by pledging that the 4th Governing Council would pursue a legacy of growth, reputation and enduring impact, with the support of the Board of Trustees and cooperation of University Management.
Other members of the Governing Council include Mr Raphael Aladetimi, Chartered Accountant and former Bursar of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); Prof. Helen Olayinka Ogunsuyi, Professor of Fuel/Analytical Chemistry; Mr Olakunle Ade-Ojo, Managing Director, Toyota Nig. Ltd.; Mr Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN; Mr Suleiman Adedokun, GMD, Meristem Securities Ltd.; Mrs Olajumoke Ajayi, President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE); Mr Lawrence Bakare, Sports Patron; Prof. Babatope Kolawole, Immediate Past Provost, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Mr Abdul-Raheem Ahmad, representing National Universities Commission; Dr Akindele Ige, Permanent Secretary, representing Ondo State Government; Prof. Omotola Dada, Professor of Environmental Mgt. & Toxicology and Prof. Babatunde Akanji, Professor of Human Resource Mgt.; Omololu Adegbenro, Registrar, Elizade University is the Secretary to Council.
With the inauguration, Elizade University enters a new phase in its institutional journey — with self-reliance, stronger partnerships, expanded academic frontiers, research, infrastructure and global competitiveness emerging as key priorities for the new governing leadership.
