Ajayi Crowther University Appoints First Female Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole.

On July 9, 2025, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, appointed Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole—an accomplished academic, administrator, and expert in African Philosophy, Ethics, and Gender Studies with nearly four decades of experience—as its first female vice-chancellor, marking a historic milestone in Nigerian academia.

On July 9, 2025, The Nation reported a groundbreaking development as Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, appointed Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole as its first-ever female vice-chancellor, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history and symbolizing progress in gender representation within Nigeria’s academic leadership; Prof. Oduwole is a distinguished scholar, administrator, and philosopher with a rich academic career spanning nearly four decades, during which she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to higher education, intellectual development, and ethical leadership across multiple institutions.

Her academic journey includes a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Philosophy as well as a Ph.D. in the same field from the University of Ibadan, complemented by a Master of Science in Bioethics earned through a consortium of prestigious European universities—Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands), and the University of Padova (Italy)—reflecting her global academic exposure and interdisciplinary expertise. She joined Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in 1985 and steadily rose through the academic ranks to become a full Professor of African Philosophy, with key specializations in Ethics, Bioethics, Gender Studies, Philosophy of Religion, and African Studies, areas in which she has published and led extensive research.

In her leadership capacity, she has held numerous influential positions at OOU, including Head of the Department of Philosophy (2003–2006), Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and most notably, serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor between 2016 and 2018, where she uniquely oversaw both academic and administrative portfolios—an unprecedented dual role in the university’s history. From 2018 to 2020, she further distinguished herself as Vice-Chancellor (Administration), reinforcing her reputation as an adept institutional leader and policy strategist. Beyond OOU, she has served on various committees and governing bodies at top Nigerian universities including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and Osun State University, contributing significantly to educational reforms and institutional development.

Her current appointment comes as she transitions from serving on the Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University and the Church of Nigeria Theological Accreditation and Regulatory Board, where she has been actively shaping theological education standards. Her selection as vice-chancellor not only honors her exceptional credentials but also sets the tone for a new era of visionary, inclusive, and ethical leadership at ACU.

This historic appointment coincides with a range of other notable developments reported on The Nation’s website, including TETFund’s threat to delist universities misusing intervention funds, the Federal Government’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, the emergence of consensus candidates in the APC by-elections, the rescue of trafficking victims by NAPTIP, and broader political shifts unfolding across Nigeria. In addition to headline news, the platform continues to offer extensive coverage across categories such as entertainment, business, health, sports, and politics, while also hosting promotional content including online casino links, immigration programs, medical adverts, and betting vouchers, accessible via its digital platforms and e-paper services.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, THE NATION