By Debola Akingbade
In leadership, consistency and impact matter a lot. When a leader is frequently moved from one place to another within a short period, it raises serious concerns about their effectiveness.
Such is the case of Engr. Kayode Ojo, who, in less than six months, has been transferred from a Yoruba-speaking state in the West to Kogi in the North, and now to the East.
While some may see this as a rare opportunity, the reality paints a different picture, his leadership has failed to make a lasting impact anywhere he has served.
A true leader is difficult to remove. Stakeholders and communities rally behind those who bring progress, stability, and innovation.
However, in Kayode Ojo’s case, his rapid movements suggest that he has not demonstrated enough competence to warrant stability. Instead, he has been tossed around like an Almajiri, raising questions about whether he possesses the qualities required for leadership.
His first appointment was August 2024. He was reassigned November 2024 and now February 2025 another reassignment. All these in less than six months!
In an attempt to defend him, his supporters argue:
"When someone is promoted from a fourth-generation university to a first-generation university, is that not a mark of competence? UNN is bigger than FUOYE and FULOKOJA put together.
Only a man with impeccable managerial skills can paddle the canoe of UNN. Are you doubting Mr. President’s choice? Maybe you should write Aso Rock for a reversal."
This defense is puerile, weak and misleading. What they fail to acknowledge is that Kayode Ojo was not promoted, he was actually removed and resigned.
Young universities like FUOYE and FULOKOJA needed leaders with polished administrative understanding to nurture them into world-class institutions. If he truly had the vision and expertise to build from the ground up, he would not have been replaced.
Instead, he was transferred to an already established institution, where structures and systems were already in place. This was not a recognition of excellence, it was a reassignment that speaks volumes about his leadership deficiencies.
This is exactly why Ekiti cannot afford to entrust its future to people like him. Like FUOYE and FULOKOJA, Ekiti is one of the youngest states in Nigeria. It is still in its developmental stage, requiring a leader who can nurture growth, build strong institutions, and create a lasting legacy.
If Kayode Ojo could not successfully manage young universities, how can he be expected to lead a young and developing state like Ekiti?
A leader’s effectiveness is measured by how much people want them to stay, not how easily they can be reassigned. Leadership is about making meaningful impact, not just occupying positions and or being tossed around like a chaff in the hand of the wind.
If Kayode Ojo was truly capable of driving progress, he would have been indispensable in any of his previous roles.
This is why Ekiti needs tested and trusted leadership, someone with a proven track record of stability and impactful governance, like Governor Biodun Oyebanji (BAO). Unlike Kayode Ojo, who has been shuffled from one place to another due to his lack of administrative depth, BAO has shown resilience, competence, and strategic leadership in driving Ekiti’s progress.
Kayode Ojo’s defenders may continue to twist the narrative, but the facts remain clear: Ekiti’s future is too important to be placed in uncertain hands. The state needs a leader who builds, not one who is always replaced.
Ekiti must stand for progress. BAO remains the right choice!
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