Professor Oladele John Akinyomi Becomes the First Deputy ViceChancellor of Mountain Top University

The task of running an academic institution, such as a university, is quite enormous and can be daunting atimes. Uneasy, they say, lies the head that wears the crown. However, at Mountain Top University, from its inception, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elijah Ayolabi, has proven his mettle by successfully piloting the affairs of the University with an enviable track record of achievements that speaks volumes about his person and leadership style. With the high growth rate recorded in almost all sectors of the University, it has become increasingly obvious that the administrative burden of such a fast rising institution is too heavy for one person to carry.

In a sharp twist that took many people by surprise but highly applauded as a positive sign of growth and development in the University, Professor Oladele John Akinyomi, the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CHMS) was announced as the first Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Akinyomi’s appointment followed a track record of great accomplishments in all the positions he has held since he took up academic appointment in the institution. A peep into Professor Akinyomi’s background, education and journey through life reveals a man, who knew very early in life that he has a date with destiny and prepared himself ahead of time. Like the famous Roman Philosopher, Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.

Professor Oladele John AKINYOMI was born into the family of Chief Lawrence and Mrs Paulina AKINYOMI in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. He attended L. A. Primary School, Agbetu in Igbotako where he served as the School’s Time-Keeper. He then proceeded to Community Grammar School Igbotako, where he graduated on top of his class, and also served as the School’s Senior Prefect. After almost ten years of seeking post-secondary school’s admission without success, Akinyomi finally got admission into the Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria in the year 1999 where he obtained a BSc (2nd Class Upper) degree in Accounting in 2004. As an undergraduate, he served as President of the Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, (the then largest Fellowship on Campus). He also obtained a PGD degree in Education from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria in 2010. Furthermore, he obtained an MSc degree in Accounting from Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria in 2007; and a PhD degree in Accounting from Babcock University, Illishan, Ogun State, Nigeria in 2014.

Professor Akinyomi is an alumnus of TrainIQA, which is part of the Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies, jointly coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK).

Professor Akinyomi’s research interests lie in the areas of Management Accounting and Financial Management. He is a member of many Professional Organizations including: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN), West Africa Quality Assurance Network (WAAQAN), Scientific Committee of Environmental and Sustainability Management Network (EMAN-Africa), etc. He is a Fellow of ICAN, and also a Fellow of the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators (IARSA). Akinyomi has served as a Reviewer to several University-based National and International Academic Journals including: Journal of Humanities, Social and Creative Arts, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Journal of Public Administration and Development Alternatives, University of Limpopo, South Africa; Managing Global Transitions: International Research Journal, University of Primorska, Slovenia; Journal of Global Business and Technology, University of Limpopo, South Africa; International Journal of Sustainable Economy (Inderscience Publishers); South African Journal of Accountability and Auditing Research; Asia Pacific Management Review (Elsevier); amongst others. Akinyomi is an external examiner to other Universities, including Chrisland University and Redeemer’s University.

Currently, he is the Chief Editor, Mountain Top University Journal of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences. He has attended over sixty (60) Academic Conferences, Seminars and Workshops (with paper presentations in many of them). He has to his credit, over eighty (80) academic publications with some 681 Google Scholar citations (as at 7th January, 2022). He has been teaching at the University level for about fifteen years with his teaching courses spanning Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Accounting Laboratory & Accounting Application Software, Corporate Governance & Accounting Ethics, Strategic Financial Management, Corporate Finance and Research Methods.

Professor Akinyomi has held and still holds many administrative positions. He was the Acting HOD, Department of Accounting and Finance of Mountain Top University between March 2016 and October 2019. He serves as the Chairman, University Security Committee since April 2016 till Date; Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee from August 2016 to June 2021; Director, Quality Assurance Directorate from June 2021 till date; Member, Business Committee of Senate from October 2016 till Date; Member, University Ceremonies and Honours Committee from December 2016 till October 2020; Member, University Admissions Screening Committee from August 2017 till Date; Member, Academic Development Committee from April 2017 till Date; Member, MTU Board of Postgraduate School from February 2020 till Date; Member, MTU Management Board for Centre for Continuing Education from December 2019 till Date; Member, Board of MTU Ventures from May 2019 till Date; Member, MTU Tender Board from February, 2020 till Date. Professor Akinyomi won the Best Head of Departments’ award for 2015/2016 academic session of Mountain Top University. He also received the commendation of the University Council in the 2019/2020 academic year for his outstanding commitment to the vision and mission of the University. Currently, he serves as a member of MTU Management Team, member of MTU Senate, and the Dean of the College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences at the Mountain Top University.

He is currently elevated to the position of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University and we wish him an impactful and peaceful tenure.