TASUED celebrates outgoing VC, Prof Banjo

Members of the university management, staff, students, royal fathers and friends all came together on Wednesday to celebrate the outgoing vice chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, Professor Oluwole Sikiru Banjo.

The event, themed ‘A Quinquennium of Service’, was organised by the College of Agriculture and Hospitality Management of the university.  

Speaker after speaker extolled the virtues and work ethic of a man fondly referred to as ‘Mr Project’ for his relentless quest for innovation, academic excellence and especially infrastructure development.

They also lauded him for being jovial, accessible, and a prudent manager of resources.

Professor Banjo steps down in a few days’ time after completing a five-year tenure as the chief executive of Nigeria’s first university of education.

The host of the event and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Hospitality Management, Professor Taibat Olusola Ikotun, in her welcome address, said the gathering was not just a ceremony but “a celebration of dedication, excellence, and visionary leadership.”

“Over the past five years, Professor Banjo has exemplified what it truly means to lead with integrity, humility, and a deep sense of purpose,” she noted.

According to her, under Professor Banjo’s leadership, TASUED witnessed remarkable growth “— from infrastructural development to academic innovation, from enhanced staff welfare to strengthened institutional reputation.”

In his tribute, the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, who was represented by Professor Adeniyi Olayanju, saluted Banjo’s “exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to academic excellence.”

According to him, under Banjo’s stewardship, TASUED has witnessed significant growth, innovation and progress.

“His commitment to the university’s tripodal mandate of teaching, research and community development has been truly inspiring, and we are grateful for his tireless efforts,” he added.

In her keynote address, the guest speaker and vice chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, noted that under Banjo’s leadership, TASUED “has deepened its role as a community partner rather than remaining an isolated academic enclave.”

She cited some of Banjo’s initiatives, such as the establishment of the College of Agricultural and Hospitality Management, the introduction of new academic programmes in Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Economics, Cybersecurity, and Tourism, and the creation of outreach platforms for farmers and local businesses as testament to his vision.

As the registrar of the university, Mr. Oladapo Sunday Oke, would later attest to, during the five-year tenure of Professor Banjo, no fewer than 30 academic programmes were added to the university’s course offering.

Professor Olatunji-Bello also extolled Banjo’s simplicity, openness and prudence.

“He understood that leadership is not about shouting the loudest, but about listening the deepest. He had the courage to make decisions, but also the humility to consult widely. He was prudent in financial accountability,” she noted.

She particularly mentioned a legacy project envisioned and delivered by Professor Banjo – the Independent Power Project, which she noted “is not merely an engineering feat, but a symbol of stability.”

Olatunji-Bello cited several other achievements of Banjo’s stewardship – including infrastructure development, ICT upgrades, investment in staff development, and strengthening of student support systems.

“He knew that buildings without people are empty shells, and people without empowerment are unfulfilled vessels,” she noted.

According to Olatunji-Bello, the lessons to be learnt from Banjo’s life of service include: “that excellence is not an act; it is a habit. Credentials mean little without character; that leadership is not in how loudly you speak, but in how wisely you listen;

“That success is not about outshining others, but about lifting others; and most importantly, that public office is not a prize; it is a platform to serve.”

The various staff unions in the university – including the SANU, NASU, NAAT, the alumni association and the Students Union all paid glowing tribute to Banjo.

Responding, Professor Banjo thanked the College of Agriculture and Hospitality Management for the honour done to him.

He also thanked every member of his management team for the support and the hard work that had culminated in the feats TASUED had achieved during his tenure.

“Together, we have worked to uphold the values that define our university—excellence, innovation, integrity, and service,” he said.

“Over the past five years, we have made important strides in improving infrastructure, expanding academic programmes, deepening research capacity, restructuring the system, fostering collaborations, and most importantly, nurturing our students to become educators, professionals, and responsible citizens of the world.

“These accomplishments were not mine alone; they were the result of shared commitment, tireless collaboration, and the resilience of our academic and non-academic communities,” he said.

He also thanked the governing council, Senate, management team, staff, students, alumni, and all stakeholders of the university for their support.

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