Ogunjobi Eulogises Adebayo Says Calm Leadership and Lasting Reforms Mark Tenure at FUNAAB PG School

The Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of ValidViewNetwork, Kayode Ogunjobi FHEA, FFAN has joined numerous other well meaning Nigerians in congratulating Prof. Gboyega Augustine Adebayo on the successful completion of his tenure as Dean of the postgraduate School of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, describing his exit as the end of an era marked by excellence, integrity and uncommon service.

In a goodwill message made public to mark the end of the tenure, Ogunjobi praised Professor Adebayo as a distinguished scholar and administrator whose leadership significantly strengthened postgraduate education at FUNAAB. He described the former Dean as “one of the finest Physics scientists Nigeria has produced,” noting that his intellectual depth commands respect both locally and internationally.

While reflecting on his personal and professional encounters with Professor Adebayo, Ogunjobi asserted that beyond his academic brilliance, the former Dean’s administrative sagacity brought remarkable reforms to the Postgraduate School. He noted that Professor Adebayo’s leadership added immense value to postgraduate administration, with achievements that would endure for generations.

According to the Environmental researcher and media icon, key milestones recorded under Adebayo’s tenure included the introduction of similarity checks for Master’s and PhD dissertations and theses to strengthen academic integrity, the installation of smart screens, and the introduction of virtual oral examinations, which modernised postgraduate assessments and improved efficiency.

He added that these innovations made it possible for supervisors to participate in oral examinations remotely without compromising standards.

In his words, “The postgraduate school under his watch has removed barriers orchestrated by distance as I was able to participate in the oral examination of my students despite being several kilometres away.”

He also commended the former Dean for addressing long-standing challenges associated with transcript processing. Ogunjobi noted that the issuance of student copies of transcripts alongside notifications of results significantly eased the preparation of academic transcripts and eliminated unnecessary stress for postgraduate students.

On the international stage, Ogunjobi commended the establishment of a functional Memorandum of Understanding between FUNAAB and the Institute of Research in Agricultural Developments (IRAD), Cameroon, for manpower training, as well as the selection of FUNAAB as a host institution for the DAAD In-Country and In-Region Scholarship Programme, as landmark achievements recorded during Adebayo’s tenure.

Ogunjobi further described Professor Adebayo as a leader of rare humility and kindness, noting that his calm disposition, thoughtful interventions and non-discriminatory attitude set him apart. He recalled personal experiences that, according to him, spoke volumes about the former Dean’s character, generosity and sense of responsibility, describing him as “one of the best human beings in that enclave.”

ADVERTISEMENT

He added that Professor Adebayo, a proud product of FUNAAB, exemplifies the type of leadership Nigeria needs to overcome its present challenges while he also acknowledged the support of his wife, Chief Mrs Doyinsola Adebayo, also an alumna of FUNAAB and Founder of WICCI, describing their union as symbolic of loyalty and shared values.

As Professor Adebayo moves on to the next phase of his engagement, Ogunjobi, an Associate Professor of Wood Utilisation and Protection wished him continued success, praying that his legacy of excellence, humility and service would remain indelible within FUNAAB and beyond.

Meanwhile, other notable individuals have joined in showering encomium on the academic giant. Commenting under the congratulatory post, Adekanjo Taiwo described Professor Adebayo as “a thoroughbred scholar and administrator whose impact on postgraduate education at FUNAAB will be felt for many years to come.” Olufemi Solanrin wrote that “his calm leadership style, integrity and student-centred reforms set a benchmark that will be difficult to surpass.” Mike Osho hailed him as “a rare blend of intellectual brilliance and genuine humanity, an academic leader Nigeria should proudly celebrate.”