The Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, has approved the appointment of Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, making her the first woman to assume the role in the university’s history.
Her appointment was officially announced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, following the Council’s endorsement of her candidacy to lead the Anglican Communion-owned university.
Professor Oduwole is set to succeed the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adebayo, whose five-year tenure is expected to conclude in the coming months.
With an academic and administrative pedigree that spans nearly four decades, Professor Oduwole’s selection signals a new chapter of transformative leadership at Ajayi Crowther University.
She brings to the office an outstanding portfolio of achievements in teaching, research, academic governance, and ethical scholarship.
Her academic journey began at the University of Ibadan, where she earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Philosophy between 1983 and 2002. She later earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the same institution, cementing her reputation as a scholar of distinction.
Further advancing her intellectual breadth, Professor Oduwole pursued a Master of Science in Bioethics through a prestigious international program involving three European universities: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands), and the University of Padova (Italy).
Her professional career began in 1985 at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), where she rose steadily through the academic ranks to become a Professor of African Philosophy, with expertise in Ethics, Bioethics, Philosophy of Religion, Gender Studies, and African Studies.
In addition to her academic credentials, Professor Oduwole boasts a strong administrative track record.
She served as Deputy Vice Chancellor at OOU from 2016 to 2018, overseeing both academic and administrative functions—a rare dual capacity. From 2018 to 2020, she continued as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, playing a pivotal role in institutional governance.
Her leadership journey also includes roles such as Head of the Department of Philosophy (2003–2006) and Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
She has served as a member of the Senate and Governing Council of OOU, actively contributing to academic and policy decision-making processes.
Beyond OOU, Professor Oduwole has served on strategic committees across various universities, including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and Osun State University.
She currently holds a position on the Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University and is an active member of the Church of Nigeria Theological Accreditation and Regulatory Board.
Her appointment marks a historic milestone for Ajayi Crowther University and reflects the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, gender inclusion, and visionary leadership.
With her depth of experience and intellectual rigor, Professor Oduwole is poised to steer the university into a new era of innovation, integrity, and impact.