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LAGOS – Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, has inaugurated its Maiden Registry Distinguished Lecture, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s drive to deepen academic and administrative excellence.
The landmark event, held at the university’s Main Auditorium, also served as a fitting farewell for the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Moses Olanrewaju Salami, who retired immediately after the programme following a distinguished career in university administration.
The lecture, entitled “Strengthening Administrative Framework in the University System Through Regulatory Compliance and Credible Leadership,” was delivered by former Registrar of Redeemer’s University and Acting Registrar of Ekiti State University, Mr. Olukayode Akindele.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye-Bandele, described the lecture as another milestone in Anchor University’s academic development. He noted that the institution recently held its first inaugural lecture and was now expanding its intellectual tradition with the maiden Registry Distinguished Lecture.
He commended the Registrar for initiating the programme as a lasting legacy and praised the university community for its commitment to excellence through hard work and collaboration.
In his remarks, Mr. Salami described the lecture as his farewell gift to the institution and the Nigerian university system. He said the initiative was conceived to provide a platform for registrars and university administrators to exchange ideas and promote best practices in higher education administration.
According to him, registrars remain the custodians of institutional memory and must continually strengthen their roles in advancing university governance through professionalism, integrity and innovation.
Salami also expressed appreciation to the Chancellor, Pastor William Kumuyi, the Governing Council and the Vice-Chancellor for the opportunity to serve as Secretary to the Council throughout his tenure.
The event also featured the presentation of a book authored by the retiring Registrar, symbolising the culmination of his decades of service in higher education administration.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Mr. Akindele applauded Anchor University for institutionalising the Registry Distinguished Lecture and urged the university to sustain the initiative.
He identified political interference, weak accountability, financial mismanagement and poor regulatory compliance as some of the major challenges confronting Nigerian universities. He stressed that effective university governance depends on strong administrative systems anchored on regulatory compliance and credible leadership.
Akindele further highlighted the oversight roles of regulatory agencies, the strategic responsibilities of university registries and the need for administrators to uphold transparency, accountability, competence and ethical leadership.
He maintained that universities that cultivate credibility and compliance are better positioned to improve governance, accelerate project execution, strengthen financial accountability, reduce corruption and achieve sustainable institutional development.
“The strength of a university does not lie only in its academic achievements but also in the quality of its administration, its commitment to regulatory compliance and the credibility of its leadership,” he said.
The lecture, which lasted for over an hour, attracted university administrators, deans, heads of departments, lecturers, students and representatives of several higher institutions across the country.
Akindele pledged to make the lecture materials, including the presentation slides and reference paper, available to Anchor University and participating institutions to encourage further study and professional development.
