Elizade University has inaugurated its 4th Governing Council, with Mr Ademola Adebise, former Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, announced as the new Chairman and Pro Chancellor of the institution.

The ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the University, brought together the Founder and Visitor, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, members of the Board of Trustees, the newly appointed Governing Council, University Management and other key stakeholders.

Ade Ojo charged the new Council to build upon the achievements of previous administrations while steering the institution towards greater institutional independence and sustainable growth, stressing that his continued financial commitment to Elizade University remained strong.

He disclosed that the University, which received its operational licence from the Federal Government in February 2012 and admitted its first students in January 2013 with 13 programmes and two Faculties, now offers 35 academic programmes fully accredited by the National Universities Commission and relevant professional bodies.

The founder urged the new Council to lead an aggressive endowment drive by connecting the University with corporate organisations and philanthropists, while advising members against divisive politics and commending the immediate past Council, led by Emeritus Prof Olufemi Bamiro, for laying a solid foundation.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Philip Oguntunde, described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter of strategic growth, disclosing that the University had recently hosted the National Universities Commission for resource verification of its proposed Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme.

He said the University was awaiting the outcome of the exercise before inviting the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for an advisory visit, adding that the medical programme was planned to commence in the 2026/2027 academic session, subject to favourable regulatory responses.

Adebise described his appointment as an honour and a profound responsibility, calling the inauguration "the beginning of a new chapter" and pledging that the Council would provide an environment where valuable ideas would be heard and given serious consideration.

Other Council members include Mr Raphael Aladetimi, former Bursar of the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Prof Helen Olayinka Ogunsuyi; Mr Olakunle Ade Ojo, Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited; Mr Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN; and Prof Omotola Dada, with Omololu Adegbenro, Registrar of Elizade University, serving as Secretary to the Council.