Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, announced a sweeping administrative reshuffle under Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Ekundayo Oladipo, appointing Professor Simisaye Olakunle as Provost of the Postgraduate College, Professor Latifat Erinle-Ibrahim as Deputy Provost, Professor Olakunle Olagunju Balogun as Dean of Students’ Affairs and Dr Anuoluwapo Feyikemi Awodoyin as Sub-Dean.

The appointments form part of a broad TASFUED administrative overhaul covering postgraduate education, student affairs, academic planning, research, distance learning, consultancy, information technology and several other institutional units.

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The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Professor Oladipo, who said the appointments and reappointments were designed to strengthen academic leadership, improve administrative efficiency and advance the university’s pursuit of academic excellence.

“These appointments and reappointments involve members of our academic community and cut across the Postgraduate College, Academic and Administrative Directorates, Students’ Affairs, Centres, Committees, Councils, Colleges and Departments,” Professor Oladipo said.

Professor Olakunle’s elevation is particularly significant within the postgraduate structure.

The professor previously served as Sub-Dean of the Postgraduate College before being appointed to lead the college as Provost.

Professor Erinle-Ibrahim will serve alongside Professor Olakunle as Deputy Provost, creating a refreshed leadership team for an area central to postgraduate teaching, research and advanced academic development.

The Students’ Affairs Directorate has also received a leadership adjustment, with Professor Balogun reappointed as Dean and Dr Awodoyin named Sub-Dean.

The appointments extend well beyond the two areas, with Professor Jimoh Owoyele appointed Director of the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance and Professor Soluade Zabu Olayiwola named Deputy Director.

Professor Adefunke Ekine will lead the Directorate of Research and External Relations, while Professor Lawal Nurudeen Abiodun will serve as Deputy Director.

Other appointments include Professor Salako Taofik Ajani as Director of the Distance Learning Institute and Dr Usman Opeyemi Lateef as Deputy Director.

Professor Kunle Bankole Osinusi was appointed Director of the Centre for External, Part-Time and Preliminary Studies, with Dr Olayinka Olufunmilayo Olusanya as Deputy Director.

The university also appointed Dr Yinka Adediran as Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Gender Education, supported by Dr Anselm Oluwaseun Hannah as Deputy Director.

Professor Adeoye Muhammed Adeniyi was appointed Director of Counselling and Human Development, while Dr Adekoya Samson Kehinde will head CENVOS.

Professor Akinyode Timothy Olawunmi was named Director of IVOTRA, Professor Awofodu Adebola Daniel was appointed Director of CITEL, Professor Bayo John Ayorinde became Director of TASFUED Consultancy, and Dr Ademola Adenubi was appointed Director of Information and Communication Technology.

The administrative changes also extend to student welfare and practical training. Dr Kassim Hassan Gbenga was appointed SIWES Coordinator, Dr Badeji Abosede Adejoke became Hostel Warden and Dr Fashina Ayomikun Opeoluwa was appointed Assistant Hostel Warden.

Several committees and councils received new leadership. Professor Amore Kehinde Pedro will chair the Teaching Practice Board, while Dr Ayedun Toyin Julius will head the Examination Malpractice Committee.

Professor Modupeola Banjo will chair the Sports Council, Professor Sowole Olusegun will lead BCOS, Professor Okunowo Abayomi will oversee Transport Services and Professor Jamiu Fatai Owolabi will head SICED.

Professor Oladipo described the changes as part of a wider effort to place experienced and capable academics in strategic positions.

“Leadership is a continuum, and every administration builds upon the foundations laid by those who have served before it,” he said.

The emphasis on continuity is notable as Professor Oladipo is still relatively early in his tenure.

The governing council appointed Professor Oladipo in April 2026 as the institution’s sixth substantive Vice-Chancellor and third indigenous Vice-Chancellor, with his tenure taking effect on May 5.

Reporting at the time described him as a foundation faculty member and Professor of Social Psychology with extensive academic and administrative experience.

TASFUED’s own governance structure places the Vice-Chancellor at the centre of Senate, while the institution’s Senate oversees academic programmes, policies, student activities, faculties, centres and academic records.

The Postgraduate College is also formally represented within the university’s Senate structure, underscoring the importance of the new postgraduate appointments.

The latest appointments come as Professor Oladipo’s administration pursues a broader institutional development agenda.

In another recent move, TASFUED established a Directorate of Advancement and appointed Professor Kemi Oriola as its inaugural Director, with the university saying the new structure would support development opportunities, strengthen its foundation, expand its endowment, deepen alumni relations and build strategic partnerships.

The administration has also been publicly emphasising innovation and institutional relevance.

In July, Professor Oladipo urged the university’s Creative Arts Department to take its work beyond the campus and use creative practice to advance arts education, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship and national development.

The breadth of the August appointments therefore suggests an attempt to strengthen the university’s internal machinery while giving experienced academics responsibility for specialised areas.

Professor Oladipo urged the appointees to approach their responsibilities with humility, integrity, innovation, accountability and teamwork.

“Leadership in a university is measured not only by the office one occupies, but by the value one creates, the people one develops, the systems one improves and the legacy one leaves behind,” he said.

For TASFUED, the test of the new structure will ultimately lie beyond the appointment letters.

The effectiveness of the overhaul will be measured by how well the new leadership teams improve academic planning, postgraduate administration, student welfare, research, digital services and other areas that directly shape the experience of staff and students.

The appointments also reflect the demands facing a rapidly developing federal university of education, where effective administration must keep pace with academic expansion, research ambitions, technology and the expectations of an increasingly diverse student population.

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With Professor Oladipo at the helm, the latest changes provide a significant early marker of the administration’s leadership philosophy: consolidate existing foundations, deploy experienced hands and build stronger systems around the university’s academic mission.