29th September 2025
Former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, on Sunday berated the Nigerian university system for its corrupt practices.
Oyewole, who was the Vice Chancellor of the university between 2012 and 2017, explained that his decision to tackle the rot in the system led to the allegation of misappropriation of funds levelled against him in 2016.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, however, in May 2018 cleared the food scientist of all the 18-count charge bordering on fraud allegation, which was filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Oyewole, who is the founder of the Divine Height Bible Church, Kotopo, Abeokuta disclosed this on Sunday during his 70th birthday thanksgiving service and retirement from active service at the church.
The former VC said, “It took the grace of God to survive the corrupt environment in the Nigerian university system. Many are expecting their leaders to steal and share the money meant for the development of the university, but I refuse to steal and share the money with anybody; corruption fought back.
“If you want to know my story, I have documented everything in a book which I titled “Courage to be different”, which will be launched on Tuesday. It contains all the intricacies of navigating the leadership challenge. I sincerely pray that our country will solve the problem of leadership very soon.”
Oyewole has, however, tasked the Nigerian scholars and professors to do more than publishing journals or writing research papers, which are often left to gather dust on the shelves.
The Professor of Food Science and Technology urged the scholars to turn such research and papers into innovations that could help resolve the myriad of problems confronting the country.
He explained that a Chinese once told him that he was surprised by the level of poverty and underdevelopment in the country despite having large numbers of Professors.
The former VC said that the Chinese had stated that they depended on the works of the Professors in their own country to make progress, adding that Nigerian scholars too should get more interested in becoming problem solvers to move the country forward.
He disclosed that he decided to celebrate his 70th birthday to appreciate God’s blessings and faithfulness, which had been quite sufficient for him and his family in the last seven decades.
Ministering at the event, Pastor Samson Bamigbayan, while thanking God on behalf of Prof Oyewole for coming out so strong from life challenges, however urged him to forgive those he might have perceived to have offended him in the past and be a father to all.
Bamigbayan urged the man of God to remain dedicated to serving God and humanity, praying that the Almighty God will further lengthen his days and give him sound health and peace of mind to enjoy his retirement.
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