The Provost of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe-Ekiti, Dr Smart Olugbeko, has received two leadership awards recognising his contributions to teacher education and the development of Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
Olugbeko was honoured by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) South-West Zone with an Award of Excellence in Leadership on August 19, 2026. The award recognised his contributions to the Colleges of Education system, his leadership and commitment to educational development.
The Provost received another honour on August 20 during the 2026 COEASU Week celebrations organised by the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo Chapter of the union, where he was presented with a Visionary Leadership Award.
According to the Federal College of Education, Ilawe-Ekiti, the recognitions reflect Olugbeko’s commitment to educational excellence, institutional development and the advancement of teacher education in Nigeria.
His recognition is also linked to his wider contribution to the Colleges of Education sector. Before becoming Provost, Olugbeko served as the national president of COEASU and continued to participate in discussions and initiatives aimed at strengthening the union and improving teacher education.
One of the areas highlighted was his contribution to the Dual Mandate, formerly known as the Dual Mode Proposal, an initiative designed to strengthen teacher education and create expanded academic pathways for students within Nigeria’s education system.
The initiative reflects broader efforts to reposition Colleges of Education beyond traditional teacher-training roles while expanding opportunities for students and strengthening the institutions’ contribution to the country’s education system.
For the management and staff of FCE Ilawe-Ekiti, the awards therefore represent more than personal recognition for the Provost. They also highlight the importance of leadership in driving institutional development and responding to the changing needs of teacher education.
The college said Olugbeko’s leadership had continued to contribute to its growth, educational innovation and efforts to advance the Colleges of Education sector.
The institution expressed confidence that the recognitions would further encourage the Provost to pursue initiatives that promote quality teacher education and institutional development.
It congratulated Olugbeko on the awards, describing them as well-deserved recognition of his service to the education sector and wishing him greater accomplishments in his continued leadership of the institution.
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