Academic Planning Director projects 10,000 students, 50 programmes and relocation to a permanent site within four years
Owolabi University, Oke-Ila Orangun, Osun State, is positioning itself for remarkable growth and academic excellence as it begins its journey as one of Nigeria’s emerging private universities.
According to Professor James Oludare Agbolade, the University’s Director of Academic Planning, the institution aims to become a major competitor among established private universities in Nigeria within the next four years.
Speaking during an interview with Blessing Omolere Olori of Owolabi University, Professor Agbolade expressed optimism about the young university’s future, attributing its rapid growth to the commitment of its proprietors and the grace of God.
“With the level of growth that we have experienced, especially with the way God has been dealing with us in this business of Owolabi University, the sky is not going to be our limit,” he said.
From 750 Students to 10,000
Professor Agbolade revealed that the University is looking forward to commencing its academic activities with an anticipated enrolment of not less than 750 students, with a much more ambitious target for the years ahead.
He projected that within four years, the University could grow its student population into the thousands, potentially reaching 10,000 students, while expanding its academic offerings from the current 15 programmes to about 50 programmes.
“We are starting with 15 programmes now. By that time, we must have been able to boast of 50 programmes,” he stated.
He also disclosed that new faculties and programmes are expected to emerge as the University expands, including the proposed Faculty of Agriculture, among other academic disciplines.
For Professor Agbolade, the growth trajectory will not only be measured by numbers but by the University’s ability to establish itself as a respected institution of higher learning.
“I believe God, by the next four years, we should be competing with other known private universities,” he affirmed.
A University Built on a Strong Foundation
One of the areas Professor Agbolade highlighted as a major strength of Owolabi University is its infrastructure.
Although the University has its permanent site at Oke-Ila Orangun, its current take-off site in Osogbo has been developed to provide an environment capable of supporting quality teaching, learning and research.
According to him, the standard of the take-off campus is such that a first-time visitor could easily mistake it for the University’s permanent campus.
“We indeed have a permanent site at Oke-Ila Orangun, but with the look of our take-off site in Osogbo here, we have started in a way that if anybody is just coming around, they might be tempted to think that this is our permanent site,” he explained.
State-of-the-Art Facilities for Teaching and Learning
Professor Agbolade, who also has experience working within the public university system, said he is particularly impressed by the quality of facilities being provided at Owolabi University.
He pointed to the University’s laboratories, classrooms and other learning facilities as evidence of the management’s commitment to providing students with a conducive academic environment.
“I work in a public university, and I know what it takes; I know how it appears there. There is a very great difference with the equipment that we have in our laboratories, our classrooms and even the environment,” he said.
The emphasis on modern facilities, he noted, is intended to ensure that students receive practical and relevant education in an environment that supports academic excellence.
Security as a Priority
In an era when parents and guardians pay close attention to the safety and security of students, Professor Agbolade identified security as another area receiving serious attention from the University management.
Located in Osogbo, the University has put security arrangements in place to protect students, staff and other members of the university community.
“Talking about security, one of the things that everybody will want to talk about before putting your child in any institution now is the issue of security,” he observed.
He added that security personnel would be responsible for maintaining safety across the campus.
Recruiting Competent and Qualified Personnel
Beyond infrastructure, Professor Agbolade emphasized the importance of human resources in building a sustainable university.
He explained that Owolabi University is not simply recruiting personnel to increase its workforce. Rather, the institution is focused on attracting qualified and competent professionals who can contribute meaningfully to its development.
“We are not just recruiting for recruiting’s sake. We recruit qualified hands,” he stated.
He described the University’s existing workforce as a group of qualified professionals selected for their ability to contribute to the institution’s academic and administrative objectives.
A Vision for the Future
The vision articulated by Professor Agbolade presents Owolabi University as an institution preparing for significant expansion—academically, infrastructurally and in student enrolment.
The planned transition to the permanent site at Oke-Ila Orangun, expansion from 15 to about 50 programmes, development of additional faculties, increased student enrolment and continued investment in facilities all point towards an institution with long-term ambitions.
Professor Agbolade particularly acknowledged the commitment of the Chancellor, Bishop Felix Owolabi and Pro Chancellor, Bishop Temitayo Felix Owolabi, whose leadership and support, he said, are helping to drive the University’s development.
With the institution at the early stage of its journey, the next four years will be critical in translating these aspirations into measurable achievements.
For Owolabi University, the goal is clear: to build a university founded on quality education, modern infrastructure, competent personnel, security, innovation and academic excellence, while gradually establishing itself among Nigeria’s recognised universities.
As Professor Agbolade aptly put it, “The sky is not going to be our limit.”
