By Elizabeth Osayande 

Prof. Samuel Kolawole has resumed as the fifth substantive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria French Language Village. This follows his appointment by the Governing Council of the institution on February 6, 2025 after a  successful interview where he outscored three other candidates. 

Alhaji Labiru Musa Kafur, the Chairman of the Governing Council, while presenting Prof. Kolawole his appointment letter, encouraged him to leverage his leadership skills to further the institution’s mission. 

Kolawole in turn praised the transparent and rigorous selection process and expressed his commitment to making significant contributions to the Nigeria French Language Village.

The official handing over of  baton of leadership to Kolawole by his predecessor, Prof. Lateef Ayeleru, was done in a ceremony witnessed by the principal officers and the expanded management members of the Inter-University Centre, as well as the entourage of the newly-appointed Director/CEO comprising His Royal Majesty, Oba Joachim Adeyemi Afolabi Ajibola, the Ojurin of Ijurin Ekiti represented by Prince Olusegun Adeola, family members, friends and associates. 

In her opening remarks, the Registrar, Miss Ini Nwa, stated that the meeting was called as the institution was “about to witness a transition, the departure of one who has been with us and to welcome another who is also going to be with us for some time”. 

She appreciated the outgoing Director/CEO and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Prof. Ayeleru in his opening address, congratulated his successor on his appointment by the Governing Council. 

He equally congratulated him for not having to wait for four months after a successful interview to receive his letter of appointment. He commended the Governing Council for implementing the provision of the University Miscellaneous Act (as amended) which has empowered the Council to announce and appoint the successful candidate who emerges as the Director/CEO.

He noted that the instance case has made the institution overcome the challenge of having to wait for Abuja to announce a successor which was the case in his own time where he had to wait for four months after interview to receive his appointment letter. 

Kolawole, in his response, appreciated his predecessor for the improvements the Nigeria French Language Village witnessed during his administration.