The reputable Obafemi Awolowo University was set up in the year 1961. So far, so good, the school has had eleven vice chancellors and the term of the current vice chancellor, Professor Oguntope Eyibodede will come to an end on the 6th of June, 2022. In order for the post not to be left vacant, arrangements to appoint a new vice chancellor has been ongoing.
At a special meeting on the 14th of February, 2022, the Council scrutinized the curriculum vitae of all the 20 applicants who indicated intereskt in the position in question and at the end of the exercise only 16 of them were nominated as they met the advertised criteria.
From Monday 14th February, 2022 till Wednesday 16th February, 2022 the candidates were being interviewed as they all appeared before the Johnt Council and senate selection board, fifteen of them were present physically while one was present virtually. The selection board assiduously examined the curriculum vitae of each candidate and awarded them accordingly.
Coming towards the end of the exercise, 3 candidates out of 16 scored the highest points; Professor A.S Bamire emerge with 423 points, Professor R.O Kalilu had 386 points while Professor K.T Ijadumola had 383 points. The three of them were presented to the council for further consideration as provided by the law.
Meanwhile, as the whole activities were ongoing representatives of the Federal Character Commission were taking notes of everything as they later attested that the exercise was fair and transparent and was carried out in full compliance with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.
At the end of the screening, the chairman of council Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife the person of Owelle Oscarudji stated “ … after a careful and dispassionate review of face report decided to appoint Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire a Professor I’d Agricultural Economics from the faculty of agriculture OAU, Ile-Ife as the vice chancellor of the university with the effect from June 7, 2022.”
Professor Simeon Adebayo Bamire hails from Oyan in Odo-Orin local government area of Osun state. He was the immediate past Deputy Vice-chancellor, Academics.