Arise said his intervention was driven by the conviction that Oye-Ekiti had the facilities and historical connection necessary to accommodate a federal university. Arise described Ajayi as a “decent gentleman” who played a supportive role but was not the initiator of the process. Arise further explained that his relationship with President Jonathan predated the university project, dating back to his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization in 2007. “I have become aware of recent narratives about the establishment of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. Arise added that while several individuals contributed to the eventual establishment of FUOYE, the role of those who initiated and sustained the process should not be erased from the history of the institution.