The Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Prof. Oluwole Banjo, FWISON, FASN, FAIMP, dfisn, has been conferred with a prestigious Fellowship award by the Institute of Educational Leadership Practitioners of Nigeria (IELPN).
The award, which was presented during the 2025 International Education Conference of the Institute, held at TASUED’s Ijagun main campus, was in recognition of Prof. Banjo’s over three decades of outstanding contributions to Educational leadership and his transformative service at the institution.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Banjo expressed gratitude to IELPN for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Education.
He stated that the Fellowship would further inspire him towards making a greater impact, noting that while technology serves as a powerful enabler of global collaboration in Education, its success depends on purposeful leadership that promotes equity and shared goals.
The conference, themed “Collaborative Leadership in the Digital Age: Building Global Partnerships for Excellence in Education Through Technology,” attracted top Education leaders, researchers, and policymakers from Nigeria and abroad.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of IELPN, Dr. Taiwo Olufunmilayo Olusa, FIELP, praised TASUED for its hospitality and pioneering role in teacher Education and policy development.
The IELPN Secretary stated that the choice of TASUED as host was deliberate, as its values align closely with IELPN’s mission of fostering innovation and leadership in Education.
Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo stressed the urgency in adopting a collaborative leadership mindset, rooted in shared vision, inclusivity, and teamwork.
He noted that such leadership is not merely strategic but essential for building resilient and future-oriented Educational systems.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, whose goodwill message was delivered by the Director in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Comrade Olarotimi Okeleye.
He disclosed that the Ogun State Government is deeply committed to the Education sector in the last 6years of the administration of Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, CON.
He further lauded the Institute for its transformative role in the sector.
While welcoming Dr. Amanda Johnson and other guests to the Gateway State, a state known as the cradle of Education in Nigeria.
He praised the current administration for its love of ICT.
The Day two of the conference witnessed a powerful contribution from Dr. Kayode Adewale and Dr. Amanda Johnson, whose presentations added both depth and urgency to discussions around digital education and global collaboration.
Dr. Kayode Adewale who was recently appointed the first Education Ambassador of Ogun State, and a staff member of TASUED presented a thought-provoking address titled “Work-Life Integration for Digital Education Leaders: Setting Boundaries in a 24/7 World.”
He spoke on the growing issue of digital overload among educators, recounting a personal moment when his daughter asked, “Mommy, are you going to talk to your laptop again tonight?” — a comment that captured the emotional distance often caused by constant digital engagement.
He recommended practical solutions such as the use of digital calendars, prioritising tasks, filtering notifications through smart watches, and embracing delegation, emphasising that without defined boundaries, educators risk burnout and inefficiency.
Drawing on his global experience, he also stressed the importance of modelling sustainable leadership for students and colleagues.
Following his presentation, Dr. Amanda Johnson, the Director , The Gerald H. Read Center for International & Intercultural Education, College of Education, Health & Human Services, Kent State University, Ohio, USA echoed and expanded on his message, sharing her own experience of turning off email notifications on her phone to reclaim personal space.
Describing herself as a “digital immigrant,” she acknowledged the necessity of technology but warned that it must not replace human connection.
Dr. Johnson highlighted the value of cross-border collaboration, sharing examples of early-morning training sessions and real-time WhatsApp discussions with colleagues like Dr. Adewale.
She referred to such interactions as the “heartbeat of global collaboration,” grounded in authenticity, mutual respect, and sustained engagement. She urged participants to nurture relationships formed during the conference and to continue sharing best practices across borders.
“Global Education community must remain united in confronting challenges no single country can resolve alone, and that compassion, humility, and openness are essential to that mission”, she added.
Other awardees were Mr. Olalekan Adeleke Ogunbanwo, a former Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Governor’s Office and a veteran broadcaster.
The conference attracted several notable speakers such as Dr. Ritu Tripathi Chakravarty of Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India; Professor Yomi Akindele-Oscar, Director of Quality Assurance at Olabisi Onabanjo University and Prof.Donald Odeleye, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Lead City University, Ibadan.
Participants at the conference emphasised the critical importance of integrating global best practices, leveraging technology, and embracing collaborative leadership in reshaping education for the demands of the 21st century. The event ended with a strong call to action for educational stakeholders to build sustainable partnerships, adopt inclusive strategies, and take decisive steps in leading the ongoing digital transformation in education.