By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
In view of his contributions to the society, an Ekiti renowned Academic, and former university registrar, Chief Dr Jadesola Taiwo Babatola has been conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Mayegun of Awo-Ekiti, last Saturday by HRM Oba Sheik Olaleye, the Aladejuyigbe 1V, the Alawo of Awo.
It was a celebration of commitment to community service as the new chief, Dr Babatola flanked by his family members friends and welwishers came forward to receive the chieftaincy title amidst funfair.
Performing the installation, the Alawo Oba Olaleye said he conferred the chieftaincy title on the renowned academic for his contribution to the development of the community.
The royal father said the efforts of chief Babatola in human capital development cannot be overemphasized, adding that this was done in a bid to encourage him to continue the good works he has been doing.
Specifically, the monarch described him as a tireless, hardworking, responsible and reliable role model whose leadership style should be emulated.
Today again, HRM Okiji 111, the Elerio of Ekiti, Oba Johnson Bamigbade will be conferring another honorary chieftancy title of Onigegeara of Erio Ekiti on this prominent son of Ado Ekiti.
Chief Jadesola Babatola is a quinquagenarian who hails from Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
He attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti for his high school (1980 – 1985) and Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti for his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in History (1986-1990).
He obtained a Master of Science degree in Political Science (Public Administration) from University of Ibadan (1995-1997) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in History and International Studies from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (2011-2019).
Chief Babatola started his working career as a Research & Documentation Officer (NYSC) at Oyo State Council for Arts & Culture, Mokola, Ibadan in 1990 before moving to Unique Business Services Ltd, Ebute-Metta, Lagos as Corporate Service Manager. He served as a Treasury Officer & Assistant Manager (Debt Factoring) at Treasury & Finance Company Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos in 1992.
He was a Personal Assistant to President of Word Communication Ministries, Ibadan in 1995 and and Publishing Research Documentary Officer at Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishing Company Ltd, Ibadan in 1998. He became the Personal Assistant to National Overseer of New Covenant Church, Ibadan before he was appointed as a Senior Administrative Officer at Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs (DNCR), Abuja in year 2000.
He joined Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti in 2001 as an Administrative Officer I and rose to the rank of Deputy Registrar in 2015. He served in various units of the University such as Directorate of Council Affairs and General Administration; Sandwich Education Programme; Directorate of Part-Time Studies; Faculty Office (Social Sciences); Establishment (Academic) Division; Examinations and Records Division; Faculty Office (Science); Office of Secretary (College of Medicine); Faculty Office (Agricultural Science) and Faculty Office (Engineering). He was a Master of Ceremonies, Event Facilitator and University Orator at various times.
Chief Babatola was a Commissioner at Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (2007); Member of Visitation Panel and Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (2007-2010) and a member of Ekiti State Transition Committee (2022). He became the Registrar of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, Ondo (2017) and moved to Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State in 2018 as Registrar. He joined Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo in 2021 as the Registrar and Secretary to Council and disengaged in 2025 back to Ekiti State University where he serves as Secretary of Centre for Foundation Programmes.
Chief Babatola is a Chartered Administrator, Chartered Secretary, Chartered Manager, and Certified Management Consultant with over three decades of working experience; a published author and academic researcher and a Google Scholar with web presence. He is also a member of several professional bodies and learned societies such as: Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration; Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants; Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered); Member, Association of Registrars of Nigeria Universities; Member, Association of Nigeria University Professional Administrators; Member (International), Association of University Administrators (UK); Full Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management; Associate, Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators and Associate, African Network for the Internationalization of Education.
Chief Babatola is widely travelled and had visited the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Benin Republic, Qatar, United Arab Emirate, Palestine and Israel where he was honoured as Tourism Goodwill Ambassador and
Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP). He has been the Master of Ceremonies of Udiroko Festival (Ado-Ekiti) since 2012 and a man of many parts who cherish Yoruba tradition and culture.
The Mayegun of Awo-Ekiti is also married to an educator cum administrator, Chief Mrs. Modupe Babatola who currently resides in Canada. He also has children who are graduates in fields of Accountancy, Law and Sports Medicine with grandchildren.
To chief Babatola, the two chieftaincy titles bestowed on him by the two respected traditional rulers in his own state were recognition to his commitment to community service.
He promised to continue to justify the confidence reposed in him .
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