Adeleke explains two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure

Adeleke explains two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has explained his decision to extend the tenure of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, by two years, saying the move was aimed at ensuring administrative continuity, stability and effective governance at the institution.

Adeleke made the explanation on Monday while inaugurating the newly reconstituted UNIOSUN Governing Council at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.

The governor said Adebooye had initially rejected the offer to remain in office for an additional two years but later accepted the extension after further consideration.

Adeleke said retaining the Vice-Chancellor was necessary to prevent an administrative vacuum and ensure that ongoing programmes and policies at the university were not disrupted during a period of leadership transition.

The governor also retained Professor Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, citing his experience and familiarity with the institution.

Oladipo previously chaired the dissolved council and was returned to the position as part of the restructuring of the university’s governing body.

The newly inaugurated council members include Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

Adeleke urged the council members to discharge their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to the public interest.

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He particularly warned against creating competing centres of authority within the university, charging the Governing Council and management to work together in accordance with their respective legal responsibilities.

“I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management,” Adeleke said, stressing that the council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority.

The governor further urged the council to respect the statutory responsibilities of university management while providing the necessary oversight required to promote institutional development.

According to Adeleke, cooperation and mutual respect between the Governing Council and the university management are essential to maintaining stability and advancing the institution’s objectives.

He described UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State”, noting that the university’s academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of the state and Nigeria.

The governor charged the council to consolidate the progress already recorded by the university and support initiatives that would further improve its academic standing, research capacity and infrastructure.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oladipo expressed appreciation to Adeleke for retaining him as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman.

He attributed the governor’s decision partly to the achievements recorded by the previous council and pledged that the reconstituted body would build on those accomplishments.

Oladipo said the council would work with the university management and other stakeholders to further strengthen the institution and pursue its development objectives.

Adebooye, in his remarks, also thanked Adeleke, members of the Osun State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated Governing Council for their support.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to collaborate with the council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth.

He also reaffirmed UNIOSUN’s ambition of becoming one of the leading universities in Africa, with continued emphasis on academic excellence, research and institutional development.

Adebooye’s tenure extension comes against the backdrop of several recent developments at the university.

In July, Adeleke inaugurated a number of projects at UNIOSUN, including a sports complex, three-in-one laboratory complex, 500-capacity lecture theatre and 750-capacity lecture theatre, as part of efforts to improve facilities at the institution.

The governor also installed Victoria Adunola Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas, as the university’s new Chancellor, following the completion of the tenure of former Chancellor Folorunso Alakija.

The leadership changes are expected to provide a period of greater continuity as the university implements its academic, infrastructural and research programmes.

Adebooye became the university’s fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor in 2022, and his extended tenure will now run for another two years.

The reconstituted Governing Council is expected to provide strategic oversight while working with the Vice-Chancellor and management on the institution’s long-term development.

Adeleke’s decision to retain both the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor also signals an emphasis on institutional continuity at a time when the university is implementing several development initiatives.

The governor’s central message to the new council was that good university governance requires cooperation rather than rivalry between the governing body and management.

The administration will therefore expect the council to provide effective oversight while allowing the university’s management to perform its statutory functions without unnecessary interference.

With the new council formally inaugurated and Adebooye’s tenure extended, attention will now shift to the implementation of UNIOSUN’s development plans and the institution’s efforts to strengthen its position within Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Adeleke explains two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure