Professor Olajumoke Morenikeji, Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University (KDU), Ibadan, has received the Cred 360 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions to academic development, institutional governance and quality assurance.
Cred 360 Media Limited, an Ibadan-based media, public relations and advertising agency, presented the award to Morenikeji for her contributions to the university, particularly during her tenure as its pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2024 to 2026.
Morenikeji assumed office as KolaDaisi University’s fourth Vice-Chancellor and its first female head on August 3, 2026.
Her contributions to the institution include serving on key Senate and accreditation committees, promoting research and innovation, and organising the university’s first international science conference and science exhibition competition. These initiatives helped strengthen the institution’s academic visibility and research engagement.
Speaking after receiving the award, Morenikeji expressed appreciation to Cred 360 Media Limited 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, stressing that meaningful achievements were products of collective efforts.
According to her, the recognition would further motivate her to pursue excellence and contribute to the development of KolaDaisi University and society.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the institution’s research and innovation achievements, disclosing that one of its lecturers had recently obtained a patent.
Those present at the award presentation included the university’s Registrar, Olawale Haruna Adetu; Bursar, Dr Michael Alatise; Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms Margaret Innocent; and Temitope Balogun.
Morenikeji’s academic and conservation profile
Morenikeji obtained her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in Zoology, specialising in Parasitology, from the University of Ibadan.
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, with research support from several national and international organisations.
Beyond her academic career, she has played prominent roles in wildlife conservation and management.
As Director of the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden between 2010 and 2016, she led initiatives to improve animal welfare, conservation research, infrastructure and community engagement.
She chairs the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and founded the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria. She also serves as West Africa Regional Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group.
Her professional affiliations include the Zoological Society of Nigeria, where she is a Fellow, and the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks, where she served as pioneer president.
At KolaDaisi University, Morenikeji previously 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.
Her appointment as Vice-Chancellor in August 2026 marked a new milestone in the university’s leadership, making her the institution’s first woman to occupy the position.
