In the Nigerian University system, the name Ayorinde Olurinde Ogunruku rings more than a bell. It induces immediate recognition of the man and his prodigious contributions to the growth and development of the University system in Nigeria.
Ogunruku, a former Registrar of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife has bestridden the administrative landscape of the Nigerian University System like a colossus for more than four decades. He has become an icon of sort and generally regarded as one of the shaping forces whose imprimatur of excellence looms large in the administration of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Ogunruku personifies professional excellence and deep understanding of the ethos and nuances of the University system and has through deliberate effort, mentorship, and tutelage of generations of Administrators, sired many of his kind who are holding the administrative forte in different higher Institutions in the country and beyond.
Like all things great, this administrator per excellence had a humble beginning. Born on 21st October 1954 into the family of Pa Michael Aina Ogunruku, a Headmaster in Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Ogunruku attended Omodewa Local Authority Primary School, Ido-Ekiti and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1965. He had his secondary education at the famous Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti where he had his School Certificate and Higher School Certificate in flying colours in 1971 and 1973 respectively.
By dint of passion for excellence, he successfully graduated from the popular University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife where he bagged his Bachelor of Arts (Education) in English in 1978 and Master in Public Administration from the same University in 1990.
Ogunruku’s ability to deliver and impact knowledge, and administrative competence became apparent early when he joined the services of the then Ondo State Teaching Service Commission and was posted to the famous Imade College, Owo. At the College, his impact was felt by all. He was very hardworking and passionate for knowledge dissemination with a willing heart to develop the students at the College.
The sterling qualities of Mr. Ogunruku became the shining lights that made him to be sought after when the Federal University of Technology, Akure was established in 1981. Thus, he became the first Administrative Officer to be appointed in the University in 1982.
Upon his assumption of duties in FUTA, Mr. Ogunruku did not settle for anything short of his strength, and competence. He developed a penchant for total quality management, maximum productivity, and efficient service delivery which became his hallmarks. By dint of hard work, he rose through the ranks to the grade of Deputy Registrar in 1998. The more he grew in the system and age, the more he became better at his job and area of core competence. He unfolded and nurtured a culture of excellence that elevated the status and relevance of the members of staff in the administrative cadre in the scheme of things in FUTA.
By virtue of his disposition to work, loyalty to the system, competence in all University affairs, innovation, and relevance, Mr. Ogunruku was appointed Acting Registrar of FUTA between February and December 2006. At the end of his acting Registrarship, the University Governing Council commended and appreciated him for his sense of responsibility, performance, and commitment to the University.
Like they say a golden fish has no hiding place. And so Ogunruku’s alma mater, the renowned Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife discovered his virtues, efficiency, and high level of competence and appointed him Registrar of the University in 2007 following a competitive selection process.
At OAU, Mr. Ogunruku served meritoriously. He built upon the foundation that had been laid and transformed the Registry of the University to a cynosure of excellence in service delivery among the comity of Nigerian universities. His track record of excellent service delivery, pragmatism, dedication, good human relations culminated in the extension of his tenure as Registrar of the University for a further period of one year by the University Governing Council. His laudable achievements spread his fame beyond the shores of Africa.
Consequent upon the completion of his Registrarship at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he was appointed as Director of the Vice Chancellor’s Office in the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Ogunruku, the quintessential University Administrator has garnered many laurels, underlining the validation of his excellence. These include: the Distinguished Award of Excellent Performance in the Nigerian Public Service by the Chartered Institute of Public Administrators of Nigeria in 2003; Honorary Appointment into the Research Board of Advisors of the American Biographical Institute in 2003; FUTA Best Administrative Staff of the Year 2005; FUTA Best Head of Unit of the Year 2005; Award of Excellence as the Most Valuable Indigene of Ido-Ekiti in 2006. He has earned several public and corporate commendations.
After his formal retirement he has continued his sterling contributions to the growth and development of Higher Education Institutions, administration, public service, professional associations, Christian Community, and humanity at large.
He is a Member of Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA); Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Management; Associate Member, Institute of Personnel Management (IPM); Member, Association of University Administrations (AUA) UK; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria; Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration, among others.
As he reaches the Platinum milestone age, Monday October 21, 2024 Ogunruku deserves to be celebrated for his humongous contribution to the University system and a better humanity. He is a leader of leaders, a symbol of hard work and diligence, an excellent administrator, orator per excellence, a ground breaker, a prolific writer, embodiment of humility, an achiever, a goal getter, trainer of trainers, mentor of mentors, a teacher, a preacher, honest, trustworthy, and God-fearing personality.
He is an asset to the University system through his impactful service and by extension one of the builders of Nigeria.