Nine Vice Chancellors, including Acting VC, have steered the affairs of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbmomoso, popularly called LAUTECH, since the state-owned institution became a legal institution on March 13, 1990.
Prof Olusegun Ladimeji Oke, a renowned chemist, was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, following his appointment on May 2, 1990, by the Military Administrator of Oyo State Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya.
Prof Oke was in-charge of the institution till June 1997, after which Prof. Akinola Muritala Salau took over from him as the sole administrator.
Former and incumbent VC
Below is the complete list of former Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University from inception to date:
1) Prof. Olusegun Ladimeji Oke: May 2, 1990 – June 1997
2) Prof. Akinola Muritala Salau: June 15, 1997 – May 22, 2005
NOTE: Prof Salau was first appointed on June 15, 1997, as the sole administrator of the institution, a position he held till July 1999. On July 5, 1999, he was appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the technology-driven institution till May 22, 2000.
From May 2, 2000 to May 22, 2005, Prof. Salau (now of blessed memory) officially served as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Altogether, Prof. Salau spent eight years steering the affairs of the Osun-Oyo state-owned university.
3) Professor Tesleem Iyiola Raji: May 23, 2005 – September 31, 2005
4) Professor Babatunde Benjamin Adeleke: October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2010
NOTE: Prof. B.B Adeleke was a former rector of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY) from January 15, 2002 til September 30, 2005, when relinquished his position at OSPOLY to occupy the more exalted academic position at LAUTECH.
5) Prof. Moshood Lanrewaju Nassar (Acting): September 2010 – July 29, 2011
6) Prof. Adeniyi Sulaimon Gbadegesin: July 29, 2011- February 14, 2019
NOTE: Prof. Gbadegesin first occupied the position in Acting capacity following the suspension of Nassar on July 29, 2011. However, he was announced as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution on February 13, 2014.
7) Prof Michael Olufisayo Ologunde: February 14, 2019 – April 16, 2021
8) Prof Mojeed Olaide Liasu (Acting): April 16, 2021 – June 6, 2023
9) Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu (Acting): June 6, 2023 – till date
Brief history of the institution
March 13, 1990: The Oyo state government got approval from Federal military government to establish a state-owned institution to be known as Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso (OSUTECH).
April 23, 1990: The decree giving the institution legal backing was signed by the then military administrator of Oyo State Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya.
May 2, 1990: Prof. Olusegun Ladimeji Oke was appointed as the first Vice Chancellor of the institution.
January 1991: Bashorun Moshood Abiola popularly called M.K.O was appointed as the pioneer Chancellor of OSUTECH.
October 19, 1990: It commenced its first academic session with four faculties (Engineering & Management Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, and Pure & Applied Science) with 436 students.
1991: The institution became a joint ownership following the creation of Osun State from Oyo State on August 27, 1991. subsequently, both owners agreed to rename the institution in memory of the former Premier of Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola and they adopted Ladoke Akintola University of Technology as the new name.
November 20, 2020: Oyo State government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde paid off Osun State and became Oyo State-owned institution . Besides, Osun State Government already created its state-owned university by the name Osun State University on December 21, 2006.
The mutual agreement to cede 100% management of the institution to Oyo State ended several years of joint-ownership crisis that paralysed the academic activities of the institution several times.
February 8, 2022: Governor Seyi Makinde sent a bill named 2022 LAUTECH Amendment Bill to the state’s House of Assembly aiming to make the institution a conventional one rather solely technology which will lead to a new proposed name Ladoke Akintola University (LAU).
Already, the technology institution has established several other departments in humanities, law, arts, and social sciences and started new programmes such as political science, Yoruba Language, Theatre Arts, Economics, and Mass Communication among others as the institution transition into a conventional university.