Caleb University Appoints Prof Olalekan Asikhia As Vice Chancellor

Caleb University Imota, Lagos, in a resounding testament to her unwavering commitment to academic distinction and institutional advancement, has appointed the erudite and globally acclaimed scholar, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, as the new Vice-Chancellor. He succeeds Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie, who had completed his two terms in office.

A professor of Business Administration of international repute, distinguished academic, researcher, institutional leader, management consultant, and entrepreneur whose impressive career spans over 30 years, Prof. Asikhia brings to the helm of affairs a luminous pedigree of scholarly excellence, visionary leadership, and an unblemished record of service to the academy.

The appointment of Prof Asikhia, a global strategist acclaimed and renowned for his encyclopedic intellect, administrative acumen, and transformative scholarship, indeed ushers a new epoch of intellectual refinement and progressive governance in the annals of the Imota Lagos- based Citadel.

His visionary leadership at Caleb University commenced in the year 2021 when he assumed the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, Strategy, and Administration), where his transformational leadership has birthed key achievements including successful strategic planning and institutional transformation, designing and implementing the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, achieving 71.2% success by 2024 and elevating Caleb University’s national ranking from 66th to 18th, with a 57% increase in institutional visibility.

A multiple grant award-winning researcher, a born leader, serial winner and a child of fate, the Professor of Business Administration has won the SME and Poverty Alleviation grant of the University of South Africa twice (2014 and 2015), funded to the tune of $100,000, thus influencing national and international policies.

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Globally, his efforts have positioned Caleb University on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, even as the AD Scientific Author Index ranked him among Nigeria’s top 3% researchers in Business Administration, top 5.6% in Africa and top 23.6% in the world.

Over the decades, Prof. Asikhia has distinguished himself as a paragon of academic integrity and pedagogical innovation. His groundbreaking research in strategic management and organisational development has not only enriched the frontiers of knowledge but also informed policies and practices within corporate and academic spheres alike.

His contributions have revolutionised the fields of business management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and social policy, making him a prominent figure in academia and beyond. Renowned for his innovative strategies, ethical research practices, and leadership acumen, Professor Asikhia has left an indelible mark on institutions, students, and communities across Africa and the world.

Professor Olalekan Asikhia’s academic journey undoubtedly exemplifies an unwavering commitment to learning and excellence. Beginning with his higher education at the University of Benin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry (Biostatistics) in 1987, his passion for multidisciplinary learning led him to pursue several postgraduate programs, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics (Manpower Development) at the University of Lagos, a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Development Economics, University of Lagos (1995), and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ogun State University (1998). Driven by a thirst for advanced knowledge, Professor Asikhia achieved dual doctoral degrees: a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Management (Entrepreneurial and Strategic Management) from the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa (2020) and a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) in Strategy and Marketing from the University of South Africa (2006).

His academic foundation equipped him with a robust understanding of business dynamics, organisational management, and strategic thinking, setting the stage for his groundbreaking work in academia and consultancy. In 1988, he began his professional career as a Research Fellow and Management Consultant at the Institution of Industrial Managers, Lagos, where he designed and delivered training programmes for organisations and Public Services.

His interventions resulted in improvement in organisational performance across state parastatals, showcasing his ability to drive measurable change early in his career. Beyond expectations, his transition to academia was marked by significant milestones as he ascended the ranks of teaching, research, and mentorship. At Ogun State University (1999–2007), he pioneered marketing and analytical courses and mentored undergraduate students, laying the groundwork for their academic and professional success. He also served as a results coordinator, ensuring accuracy and transparency in academic assessments. At Covenant University (2007–2011), as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Professor Asikhia made remarkable contributions to institutional development, including consulting for the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on attitudinal change and work ethics and partnering with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to improve customer service and public acceptance. His consulting expertise also extended to Shell Petroleum, the Nigeria National Assembly and other notable firms.

Joining Babcock University (2012–2021) as an Associate Professor and later ascending the privileged rank of Professor, his impact was profound in the Department of Business Administration and Marketing and the Faculty of Management Sciences as Head of Department and Acting Dean, respectively.

A celebrated author, keynote speaker, Editor-in-Chief, reviewer of several local and international journals, and consultant to global institutions, the new Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University has so far supervised and graduated 95 doctoral students, out of which 7 are already Professors. His efforts have also produced 17 master’s degree students and 136 undergraduate students across various disciplines. His scholarly contributions include a towering 157 peer-reviewed publications, including 10 authored books.

A devout Christian, Drama Evangelist, former National President of the All Nigerian Conference of Evangelical Drama Ministers, a stock of Mount Zion Drama Ministry and a teacher of the word of God, Professor Asikhia seamlessly integrates faith into his professional life, having spearheaded the Caleb University Discipleship Programme, emphasising moral leadership and spiritual growth.

He is happily married to Professor Busayo Asikhia, a Professor of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Lagos State University of Education, Epe, Lagos, and they are blessed with two children (Priscilla and Iseoluwa) and many spiritual children.

In a press release, Olawale Adekoya, the institution’s Information, Media and Publication Specialist, stated that the University Management expressed profound confidence in Professor Olalekan Asikhia’s capacity to elevate the university to unprecedented heights of scholarly preeminence and institutional prestige. “His wealth of experience, profound erudition, and global insight align perfectly with our vision of becoming a world-class university rooted in excellence, innovation, and service,” he said.