The Sòún of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, has inaugurated a 13-member committee chaired by Chief Barr. Olusegun Adekunle, OON, KJW, to drive the establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Community Study Centre in Ogbomoso.
Chief Adekunle, the Ashipa of Ogbomosoland and former Chairman of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), will lead the committee in providing strategic direction for the successful establishment of the proposed study centre.
The committee has Dr. Angela Ajala, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), as Vice Chairman, while Dr. Niran Oyekale, ARSO Technical Expert (TC 46) and Executive Chairman of Commit Technology & Consult Ltd., will serve as Secretary.
Other members include Chief Prof. Shola Adepoju, former Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland; Prof. Adepoju Adeyanju, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited; Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Alhaji Shittu Alimi, Bashorun Musulumi of Ogbomosoland and member of the Sòún-in-Council; Mr. Deji Adegun, Head of Project Management and Reporting, Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership; Prof. Olatunde Adekola, retired Senior Education Specialist with the World Bank Africa Region; Mr. Adebayo Ishola, Chief Internal Auditor at the African Development Bank (AfDB); Mrs. Victoria Bamidele Shin-Aba, Aviation Consultant and former FAAN South-West Regional Manager; Mr. Boluwaji Ige, Personal Assistant to the Sòún; and Mrs. Adebola Irene Elegbede, an Education Administration Specialist.
The committee is expected to provide strategic guidance and oversee the delivery of a world-class NOUN Community Study Centre that will expand access to quality higher education for residents of Ogbomosoland and neighbouring communities.
The proposed centre will operate as a modern Open and Distance Learning (ODL) facility with smart classrooms, digital learning infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, research support services, and community-focused educational programmes.
Speaking at the inauguration, Oba Olaoye charged the committee members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and dedication, describing the project as a strategic investment in the future of Ogbomosoland.
According to the monarch, the NOUN Community Study Centre will enhance access to higher education for youths and adults, promote digital inclusion, strengthen workforce development, and contribute to national development.
The initiative forms part of the Sòún’s vision of positioning Ogbomosoland as a leading centre for education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable socio-economic development.
