Appointment Announcement

The Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University (AATU) in Ilorin, Kwara State, has appointed Prof. Olayemi Mikail Olaniyi as its first substantive Vice-Chancellor. The 47-year-old Professor of Computer Engineering previously served as the Dean of the Faculty of Computing at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The appointment, approved by the Board of Trustees, was ratified during its third meeting on September 4, 2026, the same day Prof. Olaniyi assumed office.

Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, described the appointment as "a carefully considered decision." He expressed confidence in Olaniyi's ability to leverage his extensive academic and administrative experience to enhance the university's daily operations. Na’Allah emphasized that the new Vice-Chancellor would collaborate closely with the Council to improve institutional efficiency and promote development.

Academic Background and Experience

Prof. Olaniyi brings nearly two decades of academic and administrative experience to his new role. His expertise spans areas such as Computer Security, Intelligent and Embedded Systems, Applied Medical Informatics, and Open and Distance Learning (ODL), which are expected to contribute significantly to the university's growth.

Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Olaniyi began his academic journey with a National Diploma in Computer Technology from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa. He later earned a Bachelor of Technology and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Computer Security, from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science in Electronic and Computer Engineering with Distinction from Lagos State University (LASU).

He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Furthermore, he is a Registered Computer Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).