The Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University [KDU], Ibadan, Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji, has bagged the Cred 360 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.
The award was presented to Prof. Morenikeji by Cred 360 Media Limited, an Ibadan-based full-service media, public relations and advertising agency.
Professor Morenikeji received the award in recognition of her contributions to KolaDaisi University’s governance, quality assurance and academic development as pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2024 to 2026, before assuming office as the university’s first female Vice-Chancellor on August 3, 2026.
Her achievements as DVC included serving on key accreditation and Senate committees and promoting research and innovation. She also convened the university’s first international science conference and science exhibition competition, enhancing its academic visibility and research engagement.
Those present at the award presentation included the Registrar, Mr. Olawale Haruna Adetu; the Bursar, Dr. Michael Alatise; the Principal Public Relations Officer of the university, Ms. Margaret Innocent, and Mr. Temitope Balogun.
Speaking after receiving the award, the vice-chancellor thanked Cred 360 Media for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to continue serving humanity with humility, integrity and dedication.
She dedicated the award to her family, colleagues, mentors, friends and the institutions and communities she had served, noting that meaningful achievements were collective efforts. She added that the recognition would further inspire her to pursue excellence and contribute to the development of the university and society.
The vice-chancellor highlighted the university’s research and innovation achievements, disclosing that one of its lecturers had recently obtained a patent.
PROFESSOR MORENIKEJI’S PROFILE
Professor Olajumoke Morenikeji holds B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Zoology (Parasitology) from the University of Ibadan, where she became a Professor of Parasitology in 2016. Her research focuses on tropical parasitic diseases, including malaria, schistosomiasis and guinea worm. She has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and seven scholarly books and received research support from several national and international organisations.
Beyond academia, Professor Morenikeji is a prominent wildlife conservation advocate. As Director of the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden from 2010 to 2016, she led initiatives to improve animal welfare, conservation research, infrastructure and community engagement.
She is the Chair of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, reflecting her involvement in wildlife management and conservation. She is also the founder and chair of the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria, West Africa Regional Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group, a Fellow of the Zoological Society of Nigeria and pioneer president of the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks.
At KolaDaisi University, she has served as Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, pioneer Editor-in-Chief of the KDU Journal of Applied Sciences and pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2024 to 2026. She has also served on key committees responsible for accreditation and institutional governance.
Professor Morenikeji assumed office as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University and its first female Vice-Chancellor on August 3, 2026.
