The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has commenced a strategic internal reorganisation aimed at enhancing academic excellence and strengthening administrative efficiency across the institution. The initiative, spearheaded by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, reflects the university’s proactive efforts to prepare for the demands of the upcoming academic session and to maintain its rising profile in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.

In a formal communication to the institution’s Governing Council, Professor Shittu outlined the rationale behind the redeployments, which include replacing directors who have served for four years or more and ensuring that the appointment of departmental heads is guided by seniority—except in instances where the most senior staff is under disciplinary investigation. These changes, the Vice Chancellor emphasized, are designed to streamline operations and optimise service delivery within the university.

FUOYE’s internal restructuring comes at a critical time, as the institution has been ranked by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) as the third most sought-after university in Nigeria for the 2025/26 academic session. With thousands of prospective students eyeing admission, the management says it is imperative to put systems in place that can accommodate growing academic and administrative demands.

The Governing Council, in response, gave its nod to the proposed changes involving Heads of Departments and Deans of Faculties, provided there are no financial implications. However, the Council withheld approval for the deployment of a new procurement officer. It cited concerns over the timing and the urgency to clear outstanding procurement matters, especially with key accreditation exercises scheduled for September and October 2025.

A memo from the Council dated August 4 indicated that the decision to stall the procurement office restructuring was also informed by a recent correspondence from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), dated July 25. The memo stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted progress on high-impact projects—particularly the ongoing development of the fourth floor of the university’s Senate building—as well as the importance of compliance with the Bureau of Public Procurement’s accreditation standards.

Despite the reservations on procurement, the overall tone of the Council’s engagement reflects a shared commitment to institutional growth, accountability, and merit-based leadership appointments. FUOYE’s reorganisation marks a pivotal step in its mission to remain one of Nigeria’s leading public universities, meeting the expectations of a growing student population while upholding academic integrity and operational transparency.