Prof. Olugbenga E. Ige Assumes Office, Lists Priorities

Prof. Olugbenga Ige Assumes Office, Lists Priorities

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, on Monday formally assumed office and said that he would focus on deepening cutting-edge researches, stabilizing the academic calendar, and promoting staff welfare during his tenure as the acting Chief Executive of the Institution.

He disclosed these while speaking at the end of a prayer session held to mark the beginning of the new year 2020.

Prof. Ige said that every student deserves to know when he would come to the University and when he should graduate, adding that universities are globally internationalizing themselves through researches and community service.

He also called for cooperation from all members of the University Community to achieve peace and development. He promised to engage and consult with everybody including all the labour unions in the institution.

In his words, “There are three reasons why universities are established. The first is to train students, second is research, while the third reason is community service. But without a stable system and environment, all those cannot be achieved. So, our first priority will be to stabilize the academic calendar so our students would know when to come in and when to graduate.

“Second thing is we want to encourage cutting-edge research that will promote the image of the university globally. All over the world now, universities are internationalizing themselves through research. So, we want to focus on research from all our faculties in order to promote global reckoning for our university.

“The third one is the welfare of our students because without them, there will be no staff. We have to take care of their welfare in terms of drugs at the health centre, water in the hostels and halls of residence, and in terms of current books in the library, among others. And above all, staff welfare will be prioritized because productivity will depend on how well you have been able to motivate your workers. Those will be our major focus within the next few months.”

Prof. Ige joined the services of the then Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, as a Graduate Assistant in December 1990, and rose steadily through the ranks to become a Professor in October 2011.

A distinguished Professor of Palynology and Palaeoecology, Prof. Olugbenga E. Ige holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree in Botany from the University of Benin in 1984. He proceeded to the Nigerian Premier University, the University of Ibadan where he bagged a Master of Science degree in Botany in the year 1993 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Botany with specialisation in Palynology & Palaeoecology in 2004. As a teacher and researcher, Prof. Ige has taught in various institutions in Nigeria. Currently, he lectures at the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Ondo State. He has engaged in notable collaborations and research works in the following international academy and institutes of note:  The Third World Academy of Science (TWAS), Trieste, Italy; The National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India; The Gautam Buddh Technical University, Lucknow, India and The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra - 835215, Ranchi, India.

He was a beneficiary of the international research grant of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India. A member, Botanical Society of Nigeria (BOSON); Member and former Vice President, Palynological Association of Nigeria (PAN) and a Fellow of the Society of Ethnobotanists, India and Nigeria Conservation Foundation.

 As a researcher, Prof. Ige has contributed prolifically to both local and international journals in science while several of his articles have remarkably featured in notable international journals. Some of his books have become a standard reference material in the field of Botany.

 Prof. Olugbenga Ige has made indelible marks in his commitment to community services. A cerebral leader with infectious charisma and capacity. He was the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko branch between the year 2002 and 2006.

 Beyond his impactful service in the University community, he was appointed the Chairman, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) in 2011 by the Ondo State Government for a- five year tenure. 

A man of overwhelming administrative experiences, Prof. Olugbenga Ige had equally served the University in various administrative capacities and chaired several Committees that are central to the development of the University. He was Acting Head,  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology from 2005 to 2007; Acting Director, Industrial Training Unit in 2009; Dean, Students Affairs from 2009 to 2010; Acting Director, Academic Planning Unit in 2010; Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science from 2010 to 2011;  Dean, Postgraduate School  before he was appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University in December 2016, a position he occupies till date.

A widely travelled researcher, he has attended several conferences and workshop within and outside the country notably in United Kingdom, Singapore, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Republic of Benin among others.

  He hails from Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North Local Government.  He is married with children and an amiable wife.