Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the retention of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions for another term, citing their performance in repositioning higher education in the state.
The affected institutions are Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti; Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti; and Ekiti State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti.
Oyebanji announced the decision on Monday in Ado Ekiti while receiving members of the Governing Council of BOUESTI, led by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Patrick Aina.
He said the move was aimed at sustaining stability, strengthening institutional governance and consolidating gains recorded across the education sector.
“The decision will ensure continuity, policy consistency and sustained progress in the administration of tertiary institutions across the state,” the governor said.
Oyebanji expressed satisfaction with the performance of the governing councils, noting that their leadership, experience and dedication had improved academic standards and infrastructure across the institutions.
While noting that his first term would end in October, the governor said it was important to sustain governance structures that had delivered positive results.
“Retaining the councils will further strengthen institutional governance and prevent any disruption to the ongoing developmental momentum,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to education and human capital development, Oyebanji said the state would continue to provide an enabling environment for tertiary institutions to thrive.
“On behalf of the government of Ekiti State, I am extremely grateful to you for your contributions to the growth of BOUESTI. I am proud of the strides recorded, and it is clear that the future is bright.
“I am aware that this administration is winding down by October, but when a system is working, there is no need to disrupt progress. I am retaining all the governing councils of our institutions. I need to say this so that people don’t start winding down. I am retaining all of them – BOUESTI, EKSU, Isan Poly and the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero.
“I am proud of the quality of the council members in those institutions, and when a system is working, you can’t just retard the progress. Secretary to the State Government, when you are making your announcement, leave these councils out.
“I don’t want to truncate or limit the progress that is going on in those institutions. If there is one appointment I made and I’m so proud of, it is the quality of our governing council members,” he said.
Earlier, Aina congratulated the governor on his re-election, describing it as an affirmation of the confidence Ekiti people had in his leadership and development agenda.
He also said BOUESTI had witnessed significant growth under the Oyebanji administration through sustained government support.
Other officials at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Habibat Adubiaro; Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye; Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode; BOUESTI Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Omojola; and other principal officers of the institution.