TRIBUTE TO DR. ALBERT AKINYEMI FADIYIMU On the Completion of His Tenure as Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure
Today, the 20th day of August 2025, marks a remarkable moment in the history of our College as we bid farewell to a distinguished leader, teacher, mentor, and administrator, Dr. Albert Akinyemi Fadiyimu, who has successfully completed his tenure as the Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.
Leadership is measured not merely in occupying offices, or number of years served but in the impact made, the problems solved, and the legacies left behind. In this regard, Dr. Fadiyimu stands tall, having steered the College with humility, discipline, and vision during a period that demanded courage and dedication.
Infrastructural Development
During his tenure, we witnessed an era of steady and deliberate development. A befitting new Provost’s Office was constructed, standing today as a symbol of institutional pride and dignity. He facilitated the construction of new student hostels and staff office blocks, while also overseeing the renovation of many existing ones, thereby easing the long-standing challenges of accommodation and workspace in the College. These infrastructural improvements, though modest, have gone a long way in transforming the physical outlook of our institution.
Discipline and Student Welfare
One of his early priorities was restoring discipline among students. Before his assumption of office, cases of unruly behaviour and disorderliness were rampant, which were tarnishing the image of our College. With firmness and fairness, he instituted systems of discipline that redefined student culture. The hostels were reorganized, and for the first time, Student Welfare Officers were deployed to ensure that students’ needs were met while enforcing order. This not only created a more conducive learning environment but also fostered a renewed sense of responsibility among our students.
Restoration of Accreditation – His Greatest Legacy
From the standpoint of ASUP, FCA Akure Chapter, perhaps the most outstanding and unforgettable achievement of Dr. Fadiyimu’s tenure lies in the area of academic programme accreditation. When he assumed office, the College was in a most precarious state, all 13 academic programmes of the college had lost accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), leaving the institution on the brink of academic collapse. This grim reality placed the College on the edge of disaster, as it faced the painful possibility of being barred by JAMB from admitting new students, while our graduating students risked outright rejection for mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The morale of staff was low, the confidence of parents was shaken, and the future of our students hung precariously in the balance.
Through resilience, commitment, and collaboration, Dr. Fadiyimu turned this tide around. Today, we celebrate the fact that all the College’s academic programmes are fully accredited and our graduates now proceed for NYSC mobilization without hindrance. This singular achievement restored dignity to our institution, renewed confidence in its academic standing, and gave our students the assurance of a secure future. For this alone, Dr. Fadiyimu’s name will remain etched in the history of FCA Akure.
Industrial Peace and Harmony
Another remarkable high point of Dr. Fadiyimu’s tenure was the atmosphere of peace and stability that enveloped the College. At a time when strikes, protests, and conflicts had become a recurring feature in many tertiary institutions across the country, his administration stood out by recording no major disruption. Even when challenges arose, they were handled with wisdom, patience, and mutual respect, ensuring that issues never degenerated into crisis. Under his watch, the College experienced the longest stretch of industrial harmony in over three decades. Academic activities ran seamlessly, we had uninterrupted sessions, and not once was an examination postponed. This remarkable achievement remains a clear testament to his exceptional ability to manage people and situations with tact, diplomacy, and deep understanding.
Defending the College Land – A Bold Stand
One of the greatest challenges of his administration was the unrelenting encroachment and disturbance by land grabbers who sought to dispossess the College of its rightful land. Rather than fold his arms in defeat, Dr. Fadiyimu rose to the occasion with courage. Under his leadership, an appeal was instituted at the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the judgment that had earlier awarded the College land to intruders. By this action, he not only defended the heritage of the institution but also secured its future generations. His courage in this regard will remain a legacy of resilience and foresight.
Restoration of Academic Culture
Beyond accreditation, Dr. Fadiyimu worked quietly but diligently to restore the academic culture of the College. Standards of teaching, research, and learning gradually improved, and the institution began to reclaim its reputation as a center of agricultural knowledge and training. He encouraged staff to rise above mediocrity and inspired students to focus on excellence, thereby laying the foundation for a brighter future.
Conclusion
As Dr. Albert Akinyemi Fadiyimu bows out of office today, we reflect on a tenure that will be remembered for discipline, accreditation, infrastructure, peace, and steady growth. His legacy is not just in the buildings erected, the programmes reaccredited, or the policies instituted, it is in the hope rekindled, the futures safeguarded, and the integrity restored to our College.
On behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (ASUP-FCA Akure Chapter), we extend our profound gratitude to him for his selfless service, his sacrifices, and his devotion to the progress of our College. We pray that the Almighty grants him good health, long life, and fulfillment in his future endeavours.
Dr. Fadiyimu, you have run your race faithfully. You have left your mark indelibly. The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, will remember you kindly and gratefully.
Congratulations on a successful tenure, and thank you for your service.
Dr. Kayode Sule
Chairman
Mr. Olabode Efunwoye
Secretary
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal College of Agriculture, Akure Chapter