The Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, Prof. Samuel Ekundayo Oladipo MNPA, CMCPN, MCAN, FIELPN has unveiled a strategic roadmap to reposition the University among the top 25 Universities in Nigeria, top 100 in Africa, and top 3,000 Universities globally by the year 2031.
Prof. Oladipo disclosed during a Special Congregation Meeting involving academic and non-academic staff of the University, where he later reaffirmed the position at an historic Special Senate Session held in his honour following his appointment as the 6th substantive and the 3rd indigenous Vice-Chancellor, and the first Vice-Chancellor of the institution in its new status as a Federal University of Education.
The Special Congregation Meeting, which brought together members of the University workforce, provided the Vice-Chancellor the opportunity to engage directly with staff and formally present his vision, policy direction, and developmental priorities for the institution.
Addressing the congregation, Prof. Oladipo stressed that the attainment of the University’s ambitious goals would require collective commitment, discipline, innovation, accountability, and purposeful collaboration among all members of the University community.
He described TASFUED as a uniquely positioned institution, being Nigeria’s first University of Education, the second in Africa, and the eighth globally under the Formula 1–2–8 model. He noted that the University’s transition to federal status in 2025 presents renewed opportunities for institutional growth, academic excellence, global visibility, and international competitiveness.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the current independent rankings place the TASFUED between 55th and 72nd nationally, 446th in Africa, and above 6,000 globally, stressing that these realities underscore the need for strategic reforms, innovation, and a renewed commitment to excellence.
Prof. Oladipo outlined key priority areas of his administration to include improved research productivity, staff development, infrastructural expansion, digital transformation, enhanced staff welfare, quality assurance, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening the University’s academic reputation and global standing.
He also assured staff members of an inclusive, transparent, and participatory administration that values the contributions of both academic and non-academic personnel.
Following the congregation, the University management and Senate convened a historic Special Senate Session in honour of the Vice-Chancellor, marking his first official presiding over the Senate since assumption of office.
Describing the occasion as both humbling and inspiring, Prof. Oladipo expressed appreciation for the honour accorded him and reaffirmed the critical role of the Senate in shaping the academic direction, institutional stability, and future of the University.
He described the Senate as the intellectual heartbeat of every university system, noting that its contributions to scholarship, policy direction, and the maintenance of academic standards remain indispensable to institutional growth.
The Vice-Chancellor further commended members of staff and the Senate for their warm reception, insightful contributions, and unwavering commitment to the continued development of the University.
“The success of any institution depends not only on leadership but also on the commitment, cooperation, and shared vision of its workforce,” he stated.
He also called for sustained unity and collective responsibility among stakeholders.
“As we begin this new chapter together, we must work collectively to build a stronger, globally competitive, innovative, and future-ready institution that will continue to make Nigeria, Africa, and the world proud,” Professor Oladipo added.
The congregation and Senate engagements are widely regarded as significant milestones in TASFUED’s transition into a new era of leadership, institutional transformation, and shared commitment to excellence under the administration of Prof.Samuel Oladipo.
