Harvard Polytechnic, Ilorin, has received a major boost to its reputation with the Centre for Ethics and Self-Value Orientation (CESVO) naming the institution the most ethically responsible private polytechnic in Kwara State and ranking it among the top 30 nationwide.
The recognition was conferred during an investiture ceremony held on Friday in Ilorin, where the NGO presented the institution with its Corporate Ethics and Integrity Compliance Award, following months of undercover investigations across tertiary institutions in the country.
CESVO, an international non-state actor known for exposing corruption and promoting ethical leadership, said the polytechnic earned its place after passing its Ethical Conduct and Leadership Integrity Test (ECLIT), which is an assessment involving whistleblowers, field investigations and institutional performance reviews.
Rector tops list of honourees
Leading the awardees was the Rector, Dr. Obasanjo Ajibade, IAON, who received the Ethical Leadership and Conduct Compliance Certificate.
The citation on his certificate reads: “…awarded this Certificate of Public Conduct having passed our Ethical Conduct and Leadership Integrity Test (ECLIT) and enlisted among the top 100 most ethically upright/least corrupt professionals at the sub-national level in Nigeria, contributing to citizens’ well-being, poverty and hunger reduction, national interest, quality assurance in service delivery, participatory management style, transparency and accountable leadership.”
In his remarks, Dr. Ajibade described the honour as “an appreciation of duty and a motivation to do more in the service of humanity.”
The ceremony also saw key members of the management team decorated for institutional ethics and administrative discipline.
They include: Mr. Imole Jeary Joe, Registrar; Mrs. Ajibade Esther Taiwo, Bursar; Mr. Afolabi Victor Oladimeji, Deputy Registrar; and Mrs. Babalola Oluwawemimo Funmilayo, the Head of Department, Public Administration
CESVO praised the team for maintaining high standards of accountability, adherence to due process, student discipline and transparent leadership.
Outstanding Students Appointed CESVO Ambassadors
The celebration extended to the student body, with two exceptional students honoured for academic excellence and exemplary conduct.
Ibiwoye Olamide John, Computer Science Department, emerged Overall Best Student with a CGPA of 3.96/4.00 and Ms Akinyemi Arike Barakah, Mass Communication Department, secured second position with a CGPA of 3.78/4.00.
Both students were decorated as CESVO Ambassadors, a role reserved for young persons who embody academic brilliance, character and leadership.
CESVO, which marked its 20th year of operations, has trained over 40,000 workers in public and private sectors and maintains a network of 1,500 volunteers and whistleblowers across Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.
Its ethics evaluation covers 13 thematic areas including accessibility, emotional intelligence, fiscal discipline, due process compliance, Servicom standards, corporate integrity, time management culture and national interest.
A Long Roll Of Eminent Awardees
Harvard Polytechnic now joins a prestigious list of CESVO Hall of Fame inductees, including past and serving ministers, top academics, traditional rulers, vice-chancellors and distinguished professionals.
Prominent names on the list include:
Senator Patrick Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader
HRM Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun, Oragun of Ila
HRM Oba Dr. Omonigbehin Adejuwon Noah, Olomuo of Omuo Kingdom
Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice Chancellor, LASU
Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, VC, Bells University
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, former VC, UNILAG
Prof. Soremekun, former VC, FUOYE
Prof. John A.O. Okeniyi, CMD, OAUTHC
Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe, former Rector, YABATECH
Dr. Paul Orhii, former DG, NAFDAC
Prof. Anthony Anwuka, former Minister of State for Education
Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), former Minister and Chairman of the Body of Benchers
Hon. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education
And several vice-chancellors across federal and state universities
CESVO said the recognition of Harvard Polytechnic aligns with its mission to identify institutions that “change the narrative of misgovernance and uphold ethical excellence.”
A Growing National Footprint
Headed by Ambassador Salih Musa Yakubu, the organisation emphasized that its undercover investigations and award assessments are designed to strengthen accountability, reward integrity and encourage ethical governance in Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the group, the recognition of Harvard Polytechnic demonstrates that “credible, value-driven leadership still exists across the country.”
