Adeleke Inaugurates UNIOSUN Governing Council, Approves Two-Year Tenure Extension for Vice-Chancellor

Osogbo, Osun State – Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Council of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) with a firm charge to uphold peace, accountability, and good governance while warning against interference in the university’s daily administration.

The governor also approved a two-year tenure extension for the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday at the Banquet Hall of the Osun State Government House, Osogbo.

Governor Adeleke described UNIOSUN as one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State and a source of pride, stating that the reconstitution of the Governing Council was undertaken to strengthen its governance structure, guarantee continuity, and prevent conflicts.

Governor Adeleke announced that Professor Adewale Apeluoso Sokun has been retained as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, noting that his experience would provide much-needed continuity.

“For the record and emphasis, Professor Adewale Apeluoso Sokun has been retained as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council. His experience and understanding of the university place him in a strong position to provide continuity while working with the new members of the Council to take this institution to greater heights,” Adeleke said.

The governor stressed that the Pro-Chancellor represents him as Visitor to the university and Governor of the state on matters concerning the institution.

He urged all council members to work collectively and support the Pro-Chancellor in taking UNIOSUN to greater heights.

“In your tenure, the continued peace and progress of UNIOSUN are not negotiable. I repeat, in your tenure, the continued peace and progress of UNIOSUN are not negotiable,” he emphasised.

Adeleke cautioned the Governing Council against interfering in the day-to-day administration of the university, stressing that the council and management must not operate as competing centres of authority. “The Governing Council and management must not see themselves as competing centres of authority. Rather, they must operate as complementary arms of one institution, guided by law, mutual respect and the common objective of advancing the university,” he said.

The governor charged the members to approach their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage, and commitment to the public interest.

He assured the university community of his administration’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving academic standing, research capacity, infrastructure, and overall development.

In his remarks, the outgoing Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Wale Oladipo, commended Governor Adeleke for giving the university council the freedom and autonomy to operate.

He disclosed that UNIOSUN had recently produced its first set of 90 medical doctors and secured increased admission quotas for Medicine, Law, and Nursing.

He noted that the university currently has 75 international research grants and has recorded significant growth in student population. He listed the Senate Building, computing building at the Osogbo campus, lecture theatres, roads, and a modern stadium among the projects executed during the council’s tenure.

Oladipo pledged that the new council would maintain the principle of non-interference in the university’s daily running and warned members against seeing their appointments as an avenue for personal financial gain.

“The university council is not a place where you make money. Anybody that is looking for what to eat should not come to the university under my chairmanship. It is not available,” he warned.

Oladipo expressed confidence that UNIOSUN would become the leading state university in Nigeria.

“At the current rate, this university, by the time this particular council winds down its operations, will be the number one state university in Nigeria,” he said.

He also commended the university management for using internally generated revenue to rehabilitate infrastructure and for implementing digital methods that saved the institution an estimated N300 million.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye expressed appreciation to Governor Adeleke for the autonomy, liberty, and support given to the university administration.

“Your Excellency, sir, I want to thank you on behalf of the university for what you have done for us. The autonomy you have given us, the liberty, the freedom and that complete clearance to administer the university in line with the best global standards are well appreciated,” he said.

Adebooye promised that the university management would continue to work diligently and that his second tenure would surpass the first in terms of achievements and development. He prayed for continued success, good health, and divine protection for Governor Adeleke and his administration.

The inauguration was attended by government functionaries, members of the House of Assembly, permanent secretaries, political leaders, university officials, members of the new Governing Council, and other stakeholders.