Elizade University targets financial independence, plans medical programme
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has inaugurated its fourth governing council, with self-reliance, stronger partnerships and academic expansion identified as key priorities for the institution.
At the ceremony held at the university’s council chamber, Mr Ademola Adebise, former group managing director of Wema Bank Plc, was announced as the new chairman and pro-chancellor. Founder and Visitor, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, OON, charged the council to build on previous achievements and pursue sustainable growth.
Ade-Ojo said he established the university to provide quality education for Nigerian youths and reduce the attraction of foreign universities. He said the institution, which received its operating licence in February 2012 and admitted its first students in January 2013, had grown from 13 programmes in two faculties to 35 fully accredited programmes.
The founder, who said he had invested billions of naira in the university, urged the new council to strengthen its capacity for self-reliance through an aggressive endowment drive involving corporate organisations, philanthropists and other development partners.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Philip Oguntunde, said the new council had a major responsibility to position the university for global competitiveness. He also called for stronger partnerships to reduce dependence on the founder and commended the board of trustees for ensuring a smooth transition after the expiration of the previous council’s tenure.
Oguntunde disclosed that the university had recently hosted the National Universities Commission (NUC) for resource verification of its proposed Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme. He said the university was awaiting the outcome and would subsequently invite the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for an advisory visit, with plans to commence the programme in the 2026/2027 academic session, subject to regulatory approval.
Adebise, in his acceptance speech, described his appointment as an honour and responsibility, saying the inauguration marked “the beginning of a new chapter” for the university. He pledged that the council would uphold the institution’s values of integrity, honesty and diligence while using its collective expertise to strengthen academic excellence and institutional credibility.
The new council includes Mr Raphael Aladetimi, Prof. Helen Olayinka Ogunsuyi, Mr Olakunle Ade-Ojo, Mr Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN, Mr Suleiman Adedokun, Mrs Olajumoke Ajayi, Mr Lawrence Bakare, Prof. Babatope Kolawole, Mr Abdul-Raheem Ahmad, Dr Akindele Ige, Prof. Omotola Dada and Prof. Babatunde Akanji, with the Registrar, Omololu Adegbenro, serving as Secretary To Council.
