Professor Oduwole is poised to take the helm from the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adebayo, whose five-year tenure is set to conclude in the coming months. Her selection comes after a rigorous and thorough process, acknowledging her vast experience and distinguished career in university administration.
A Career Spanning Decades of Academic Leadership
According to a press release issued by the university on Tuesday, Professor Oduwole brings an exceptional depth of expertise to her new role. The statement affirmed that she possesses "an exceptional wealth of experience in university administration, spanning over 39 years of service in the Nigerian university system," highlighting her enduring commitment and invaluable contributions to academic leadership.
Professor Oduwole's academic journey is truly impressive. She holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Philosophy. Further enhancing her diverse academic background, she obtained a Master of Science in Bioethics from a prestigious consortium of European universities, including Katholieke University, 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 steadily ascended the academic ranks to become a Professor of African Philosophy. Her areas of specialization are diverse, encompassing Ethics, Bioethics, Philosophy of Religion, Gender Studies, and African Studies.
Throughout her tenure at OOU, Professor Oduwole demonstrated a robust and impactful administrative track record. She held numerous leadership positions, notably serving as the sole Deputy Vice-Chancellor between 2016 and 2018, where she simultaneously oversaw both academic and administrative portfolios. From 2018 to 2020, she continued her leadership as the Vice-Chancellor, Administration. Earlier in her career, she was appointed Head of the Department of Philosophy from 2003 to 2006, before rising to the esteemed position of Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
Beyond OOU, Professor Oduwole has been an active and influential member of various strategic committees within the broader Nigerian university system. Her contributions extend to institutions such as the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and Osun State University. She also currently serves as a member of the Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University and sits on the Church of Nigeria Theological Accreditation and Regulatory Board, further showcasing her commitment to academic governance and development.
With her extensive academic and administrative knowledge in university management, Professor Oduwole’s appointment is widely anticipated to usher in a new chapter of visionary leadership and indeed marks a historic milestone for Ajayi Crowther University.