Last Updated on August 29, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
… As VC Charges Heads to Rise as the Future Leaders of FUNAAB
By Olasunkanmi Olajide
Renowned Animal Scientist and pioneer guinea fowl breeder in Nigeria, Prof. Kolade Luke Ayorinde, has described Heads of Departments (HoDs) as “Vice-Chancellors of their Departments,” stressing that they hold the central responsibility of steering academic, financial, and administrative directions that determine the future of their units and, by extension, the representative of the Vice-Chancellor in the Department.
Prof. Ayorinde, pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State, and also pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, delivered two Technical Papers at the last day of the 2-Day Retreat for HoDs. His papers were titled: “Contemporary University Administration: The Central Role of Heads of Departments as Key Stakeholders – Some of the Things You Ought to Know” and “Contemporary University Administration: The Central Role of Heads of Departments as Key Stakeholders – Making an Impact and Building a Lasting Legacy.”
Drawing from his vast experience, including serving two terms as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ayorinde highlighted the increasing complexity of university departments, arising from their size, diversity of staff and students, and rising expectations. He maintained that HoDs must therefore be visionary, inclusive, collaborative, adaptive, and sustainability-driven leaders.
According to him, “The function of the HoD has gone far beyond mere administration. You are not only to ensure the smooth running of your Departments but also to nurture both students and staff to reach their full potential. You are the Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Examiner, Chief Image Maker, and guardian of academic quality in your Departments. In truth, you are the Vice-Chancellor of your Department.”
He urged HoDs to create a clear vision for their Departments, foster inclusivity and collaboration, implement sustainable practices that outlive their tenure, and enhance the entrepreneurial quality of their units for long-term growth and relevance.
Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, charged the HoDs to rise to the challenge of transformative leadership, reminding them that they represent the future leadership pool of FUNAAB and the Nigerian University System.
Prof. Kehinde declared: “The world is looking for quality people, and a Professor is expected to be a total man. When universities advertise for leadership, they seek those who have served as HoDs, Deans, and DVCs. You are the future of FUNAAB, as envisioned by our pioneer Vice-Chancellor, late Prof. Nimbe Adedipe. You will become Deans, DVCs, and Vice-Chancellors. Now, we have a retinue of FUNAAB officials who would do things right, and I urge you to rise to the occasion.”
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that leadership at the Departmental level was the foundation for future roles in higher management, urging participants to embody excellence, integrity, and visionary thinking.
The session ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Francis Sowemimo, Head of Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (PBST), who commended the resource person and the University Management for investing in the capacity building of HoDs.
