Fidelis David reports that Prof. Samuel Akintunde’s tenure as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Adeyemi University of Education (AFUED), Ondo, has been marked by transformative leadership and visionary initiatives, yielding remarkable growth and development, positioning the institution for continued excellence and relevance in the global academic community

Prof. Samuel Akintunde’s leadership at Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), formerly known as Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, has justified that he’s a leader who gets the people to do the greatest things, going by the high level of transformation in the institution.

Akintunde’s visionary leadership has created a clear path towards progress for AFUED, and his commitment to economic diversification, quality education, and human capital development has set a high standard for future development.

History was made in November 2023 when the Federal Government appointed Akintunde as the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of AFUED as part of the implementation process of the conversion of the school from Adeyemi College of Education to university status.

Being a student and a lecturer in the institution makes him a bridge; he sees from the inside and outside. The journey from student life to leadership has equipped him with enough experience to succeed in the divine assignment. 

It is, therefore, incontestable that the VC has made significant contributions to the institution. A graduate of Geography Education from Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, with a Master’s and PhD in Social Studies from the University of Ibadan. He had over two decades of experience as a lecturer and head of the Department of Social Studies. Subsequently, he served as provost of Adeyemi College of Education before his current appointment.

It is worthy of note that the second alumnus to head the institution in the approximately six decades of existence of the college also served as Chairman of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (2013-2016).

Particularly as acting vice-chancellor of AFUED, Akintunde has played a crucial role in shaping the university’s future and advancing its academic mission with his experience and expertise, thereby contributing to the institution’s growth and development.

Given the level of transformation in the institution, Akintunde deliberately prepared for the school to become a university. AFUED, under his watch, has invested heavily in modernizing its infrastructure to provide students with state-of-the-art facilities. This includes spacious lecture halls and advanced digital libraries, the construction of a block of four classrooms, construction/upgrade of a college road and walkways of 1,250 metres with drainages on both sides (LOT 2) (Phase I). 

Other projects are the construction of a new access road – Health Centre Road, supply of laptop computers, construction of a block of 20 academic staff offices, construction of a new dual carriageway from Ondo/Ore Highway-Phases I and II, construction of new entrance gate, among other projects.

AFUED’s infrastructural development journey showcases its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and sustainability. By continuing to invest in modern facilities, research initiatives, and sustainable practices, the university is poised to remain a leader in higher education.

Meanwhile, projects initiated through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) include the rehabilitation of the health centre building (ETF project 1999), the construction of an academic complex for the School of Education, the construction of an office and theatre for the School of Education, the construction of an library complex of a storey building, construction of Administrative Block of a storey building, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning and furnishing for library, procurement of 33 seater coaster bus, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of computers and equipment, rehabilitation of students hostel ETF, construction and furnishing of one-storey students hostel (350 beds)

They also include the supply and installation of 200 5-seater classroom seats, 55 HP 050 notebooks, construction of a 1.2km access road, construction and furnishing of students hostel, construction and furnishing of academic staff office building construction and furnishing of students recreation centre, among others. These facilities enhance the learning experience and attract top talent to the university.

Before his assumption of office, approximately 70 per cent of the roads on campus were unpaved, leaving many areas muddy and inaccessible, which was unbefitting of a tertiary institution, but with the present infrastructural development, it is not out of place to say that the VC deserve accolades for all his magnanimity and excellent leadership styles.

AFUED, which officially attained university status in 2022, has made remarkable infrastructural progress within a short time, prompting questions about whether the management had anticipated the upgrade long before it became official. Corroborating this while speaking with journalists recently at the institution, Akintunde said one of the motivating factors was the school’s preparation to become a university. 

Akintunde said, “A well-established road network is essential for any institution of higher learning. A university should not have roads filled with mud and dust. Additionally, expansion was a priority. Take our library, for example. The main library was constructed 50 to 60 years ago and no longer meets the needs of today’s students in terms of size and facilities. Expanding the library was a necessary step.

“To plan adequately for the university, restructuring was also essential. We had to rethink the academic structure, leading to the establishment of faculties. This was the rationale behind constructing the iconic Faculty of Education building that you saw. We are even expanding that faculty further with two new buildings, each containing 20 offices. One of them is already about 70 per cent completed.”

He reiterated that preparing for university status was not merely about titles but about creating an environment that reflects the values and standards of higher education.

For expansion and a significant increase in student enrollment and growth, he hinted that his administration is establishing several faculties, including the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Computer and Computing Science.

Beyond these achievements, the school under his watch has introduced new academic programmes, which include Computer Science, Accounting, Arabic, Music, Political Science, Theatre Arts, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

“In just one year, significant progress has been made. Previously, the institution had only 18 degree programmes. After rigorous evaluation by the National Universities Commission (NUC), we were approved for 49 degree programmes,” stated Akintunde. “Currently, we are actively running about 36 to 40 programs. By the end of the coming academic session, we plan to introduce more programmes. Our approved academic plan aims to have 88 degree programs within five years.”

Beyond academic programmes, he said the school under his administration has launched an Entrepreneurship and Vocational Development Centre to equip students with life skills they can use after graduation. 

The skills acquisition programme is compulsory for all students. They must obtain certification before graduation, he said. Students can learn skills in various fields, including agriculture, electrical work, catering and hospitality, and hotel management. 

“Additionally, we’ve established the Adeyemi College of Technology, registered under the National Board for Technical Education. The college offers specialised training in software and hardware engineering. We are currently in the second level of the National Diploma programme and are expanding to offer more programmes,” he explained.

Every transformation journey comes with challenges, and AFUED under Akintunde is no exception. 

“However, our determination and resilience have kept us moving forward. One of the initial challenges was securing NBTE accreditation for the College of Technology,” he said. “We needed to provide the necessary facilities and hire personnel, but we overcame these hurdles. Today, all four programmes at the college have been accredited.”

The VC highlighted the support of key stakeholders towards achieving university status. He said the federal government played a pivotal role, particularly through funding provided by TETFund. Also, according to him, many of the capital projects on campus were TETFund-supported. 

“Without funding, even the best vision cannot materialise. We have leveraged these funds effectively to bring our vision for AFUED to life.

Apart from external support, the VC said AFUED has also maximized its internally generated revenue.

“Several major projects, such as the construction of a new hall at the staff school, renovation of hostels, and the repair of internal roads, were accomplished through prudent management of IGR. While new road construction was carried out with TETFund grants, the older roads were rehabilitated using IGR, reflecting a commitment to both sustainability and resourcefulness,” Akintunde stated.

He noted that the transformation of ACE into a full-fledged university is a testament to strategic planning, visionary leadership, and collaborative effort and with continuous development in infrastructure, academic expansion, and community engagement, the institution is poised to become a leading institution in the educational landscape.

He said that AFUED also benefited from strong community support, particularly from the Osemawe-in-Council, whose intervention was critical when the university needed funds for NUC resource verification and had exhausted all internal funds. 

“It would have been a financial crime to divert funds from TETFund for that purpose,” the VC noted. “But the community stepped in, and we later refunded them after over a year.”

Besides, the VC stated that the university is proud to be associated with notable personalities, including the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. A lecture hall named after her, the Remi Tinubu Lecture Hall, stands as a symbol of her past contribution. In recognition of her service to education and humanity, the university plans to confer on her an honorary doctorate in Science Education during its maiden convocation.

According to the VC, this honorary award is a strategic move to deepen relationships with influential stakeholders and attract more philanthropic and developmental contributions to the university.

In consonant with Ronald Reagan’s belief that the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things but the one that gets the people to do the greatest things, Akintunde said, “All my achievements are meaningful, but reaching this point with the university stands out. Back in our student days, we dreamed of this school becoming a university. That dream has come true. We now have professors and proper academic placement. This is a road worth celebrating.

“Still, I don’t see it as my achievement. Without the good people around me, my lieutenants, it wouldn’t have been possible. I’m not the one running the Information and Public Relations Office or the Registry. It’s the hardworking people there. But whatever they do well reflects on me as the chief executive.”

As AFUED looks towards the future, Prof. Akintunde’s blueprint for progress remains a shining example of what can be achieved through visionary leadership.