Popoola unveils plans for advancement of AFUED in 2026
The Vice-Chancellor of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, has dropped hints of plan by his administration to embark on the implementation of strategic programmes, aimed at elevating the institution to greater heights in year 2026.
Addressing staff and students of the University during the New year 2026 prayer meeting, which held on Monday January 5, 2026 in the institution, Prof. Popoola, expressed gratitude to God, for all the achievements recorded in year 2025 in the University before and after his assumption of duty as the head of the institution.
He listed the achievements to include the upgrade of the institution from College of Education to a full-fledged University, successful processing and approval of backlog of graduating students results for both NCE and Degree by the senate of the University, payment of five months salary of newly recruited staff of the University, appointment of new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and protection of lives of 18 students of the institution, who were going for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme, after they were alleged to have died in a road crash by a fake on-line media report.
Speaking further on the year 2025, the University Administrator added successful completion of teaching practice, as well as promotion exercise of majority of staff of the institution as other areas where achievements were recorded in the University.
On plans for the advancement of the institution in year 2026 by his administration, Prof. Popoola expressed optimism, saying year 2026 would bring greater achievement and possibilities.
His words: “As we look forward to 2026, I want to assure you that this administration will pursue an agenda of progress, consolidation, innovation and people oriented development.
“We shall ensure regular payment of workers salary, clear all staff indebtedness, prioritize staff welfare, provide conducive living environment for our students and ensure seamless processing of their results” he remarked.
Speaking on development of academic staff, Prof. Popoola said his administration, would work to ensure that members of academic staff are given opportunities, that would enable them embark on ground breaking research in year 2026.
In addition, the University Administrator disclosed plan to embark on the completion of all on-going and abandoned projects as well as engaged in the recruitment of additional staff, while attention would also be given to the plight of adhoc staff in the institution.
Prof. Popoola also stated that his administration would ensure peaceful co-existence with the Ondo host community, work for the improvement of the institutions webometric ranking “in order to ensure that AFUED becomes visible globally in teaching, research and innovations, strengthen the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue through innovations, partnership and new programmes, stating that the goals reflects his administration’s determination to elevate AFUED to world class status to become an institution that would shape minds, drives innovations and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The University Administrator, therefore, enjoined staff of the University, to embrace unity, diligence, integrity and exhibit faith in God, through effective service delivery in year 2026.
Earlier in a sermon delivered on the occasion by the General Overseer of the The Way of Holiness Ministry, Apostle (Dr) Oluremi Johnson Falade, he emphasized the need for people to give their lives to Jesus.
Speaking on: “2026, YEAR OF A NEW SONG”, the religious leader noted that for somebody to sing a new song, such person must be a “new creature.
Quoting several biblical passages include psalm 40 v 5 to buttress his points, Pastor Falade urged the congregation to have good relationship with God in year 2026, stating that God can make a way anywhere.
According to him, God can bring innovation and can do what has not been done before. He therefore, advised the congregation to move closer to God in the new year, so that “They can sing a new song”.
Also, at another prayer session held at the University mosque, the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi, commended the Management of the institution for ensuring peaceful co-existence among people of different religions in the University.
The highly revered Islamic cleric, stressed the need for people in position of authority, to exhibit good character during the period of their stewardship.
He lauded staff and students of the institution for religious tolerance, and stressed the need for them to continue to support management of the University, in their efforts at advancing its progress.
Also in his admonition, the Chief Imam of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo Mosque, Dr. Ismail Odeniyi, stressed importance of exhibiting justice and trustworthiness by people in society, stating that through this they would be able to enjoy Allah’s blessing and leave good legacy behind.
Similarly, the Chairman, AFUED Ondo Muslim Community, Prof. Rasheed Oloyede, described Islam as religion of peace and stressed the need for people to shun any act capable of undermining the tenet of the Holy Quran.
Oloyede assured the university management of the support and cooperation of the Muslim Community.
Responding, the AFUED VC, Prof. Popoola thanked the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi and members of the Muslim Community for their contributions to the development of the University.
He assured of his administration’s readiness to continue to implement good programmes, that would elevate the university to greater heights, while appealing for continued cooperation and support from members of the Muslim Community.
The two spiritual activities held simultaneously, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Auditorium and the University Mosque respectively, featured bible reading, Quaranic recitations, as well as offering of prayers for the University Management, its staff and students and success of all the activities outlined to be held in the University in year 2026.
Eminent personalities present on the occasion included religious leaders,- Pastor Oluremi Johnson Falade, Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi, Principal Officers of the University: Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ireti Folasade Alao; Registrar, Mrs. Olufisayo Fakorade; Bursar, Mrs. Taiwo Adedoyin and Librarian, Dr. Azino Oscarad Akpokuriere.
Other were Deans and Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, Staff and Students of the University from across the University including Directorate of Information and Public Relations, as well as the Department of Music to mention but few.
