Venite University Inaugurates Charity Aremu as Second Substantive Vice-Chancellor

Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, on 5 March 2026 inaugurated Professor Charity O. Aremu as its second substantive Vice-Chancellor, formally placing the crop improvement scholar at the helm of the institution for the next five years.

Professor. Charity Onye Aremu

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Olabisi I. Aina, who officiated the investiture, described the event as a defining moment for the university’s leadership and direction.

“The investiture of the Vice-Chancellor represents more than a ceremony. It is a statutory affirmation of leadership and commitment to the institution’s future,” Prof. Aina said.

She noted that the Governing Council reached its decision after what she described as a rigorous and transparent selection process, expressing confidence in Prof. Aremu’s academic pedigree and leadership experience to guide the university through its next phase of development. The council, she added, expects the new Vice-Chancellor to uphold institutional integrity, strengthen academic performance, and provide strategic leadership for sustained growth.

Prof. Aremu, a respected scholar in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Ibadan before obtaining a PhD in Plant Breeding and Sustainable Agriculture from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Her research record includes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and over 2,000 academic citations.

Before her appointment at Venite University, she served as Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University and held several senior academic roles at both Landmark University and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, including Head of Department, Dean, Director of the African Agripreneurship Development Centre, and Chair of the University Academic Board and Senate.

In her investiture address, Prof. Aremu set out an ambitious agenda for the university, stating that her administration would focus on building Venite into a globally recognised centre for research and development.

“Our vision is to build Venite University into a globally recognised institution in research and development, producing knowledgeable, creative and innovative graduates with positive impact on society,” she said.

She explained that the university would prioritise academic excellence, stronger research output, improved administrative processes and institutional development over the next five years. Her plan also includes expanding industry partnerships and equipping students with practical skills in areas such as cybersecurity, big data analytics and entrepreneurship.

The new Vice-Chancellor further outlined targets for increased student enrolment, infrastructure development, international collaborations and stronger global visibility for the institution.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Dipo Aina, represented at the ceremony by Dr. Adenike Kolawole, expressed confidence in her leadership capacity.

“With her leadership, Venite University will enter a new era of exponential growth, strengthened governance and transformative societal impact,” he said.

The inauguration signals a new phase for Venite University as the institution positions itself to expand its academic influence within Nigeria and strengthen its presence in global research networks.