New FCE Ilawe Provost, Smart Olugbeko Sets Two-Week Deadline to Establish Staff, Student Unions  

By Joseph Sunday

Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State — Dr. Smart Olugbeko was inaugurated Tuesday as the second substantive Provost of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti.

In his inaugural address, Olugbeko unveiled a three-phase agenda — stabilization, consolidation, and transformation — aimed at making FCE Ilawe “a first-class teacher-producing institution.”

He said academic excellence and staff and student welfare would be top priorities under his administration. 

“This college has potentials and opportunities which we must harness to bring out the best in the system,” he said. “We will do everything we can to make the college a model for other institutions.”

Addressing what he described as an “anomaly,” the new Provost announced plans to establish three major staff unions on campus — COEASU, NASU, and SSUCOE — within two weeks. He confirmed he had already received approval from the Governing Council Chairman.

“Unions are partners in progress, not enemies or opposition,” Olugbeko said. “They are vital for the development of the institution.”

Speaking directly to students, he urged them to take their studies seriously. “The primary purpose of being here is to gain knowledge and earn certificates that will make you employable and able to live the lives you desire,” he said.

Olugbeko also pledged a mutually beneficial relationship with the host community, Ilawe Ekiti, stating the college would not shy away from its social responsibilities. “FCE Ilawe is a place to send your children. In the next few years, this institution is going to become a reference point,” he said.

He added that his administration comes at a critical time for teacher education in Nigeria. “The demand is to reposition teacher education to a common standard, and this institution will be used as a reference point. We will make the environment conducive for teaching and learning, and we will not condone acts detrimental to the development of this institution.”

Outlining his timeline, Olugbeko said the first two years of his tenure would focus on consolidation, while the final two years would drive transformation. Although the college currently operates from a temporary campus, he vowed to develop it into a “world-class” site.

“We are going to mobilize resources and put everything in place to ensure we graduate our first set of students by October this year,” he said. “We need the support of all stakeholders — government, community, staff, students, family, and friends. With your support, we will make this college one you can be proud of.”

He closed with a call for unity and accountability: “This is a great opportunity and a great challenge. We must all be on our toes to ensure government and society see that the right thing is done for this institution.”

The inauguration ceremony, held Tuesday, drew a distinguished audience including Governing Council Chairman Prof. Adeshola Olatunde Adepoju; principal officers of Adeyemi Federal University of Education; the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University; former national presidents of COEASU; the South-West Chairman of COEASU; principal officers of FCE Ilawe-Ekiti; and other dignitaries.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Registrar, Dr. Khadijah W. Garba, who expressed appreciation to all dignitaries and participants for their support.