Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola has emerged as the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
The Ayeye Ibadan-born Professor, who is from the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts of the premier University was appointed by the Senate of the University after a voting process.
The appointment was made after a directive from the Ministry of Education, through the National Universities Commission directing the Senate of the university to appoint one of its own in acting capacity for the institution.
During the course of the meeting which was thoroughly guided by adherence to standard procedures, the Senate decided that the process would be by voting and not by concensus.
Sources revealed that it took about two hours of discussion for an aggrement to be reached by the Senate, after which a call for nominations and seconding of nominations was made.
Senate members nominated for the election included Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola (Current Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic) and Professor Olanike Adeyemo (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships).
Others included Professor A. Oluleye (former Dean, Fauclty of Technology)
Professor Adigun Agbaje (Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic) and
Professor Gbemisola Oke (former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic).
According to speakers at the meeting, it was important that the Senate took a united decision with demonstrated transparency in order to guard the autonomy of the university and prevent interference from government and politicians.
Afterwards, members of Senate were duly accredited afresh, and voting took place through secret ballot.
Professor Ekanola scored 275 votes to emerge the winner; Professor Olanike Adeyemo (13 votes); Professor Oluleye (80 votes); Professor Agbaje (15 votes); and Professor Oke (14 votes), even as the Senate ratified the results and immediately adjourned.