Adeleke Defends UNIOSUN VC Extension, Cites Infrastructure Boom and Academic Growth

 Oriontimes News Desk| September 24, 2026

…Governor Highlights 40 Major Projects, Medical School Milestones, Rising Student Population

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has defended his decision to extend the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), citing the university’s reported infrastructure expansion, academic growth, staff welfare and uninterrupted academic calendar under the current administration.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, spoke at the university’s convocation ceremony, where he highlighted what he described as significant progress recorded by the institution over the past four years.

According to Adeleke, about 40 major building projects have been constructed and commissioned across the university during the period, alongside more than 30 complementary interventions involving renovations, procurement, supplies and solar installations.

The Governor said the interventions were designed to improve the teaching, learning and administrative environment across the institution.

“In the last four years, 40 main building projects have been constructed and commissioned for use,” the Governor said.

He further listed the ultra-modern FIFA-standard Sports Complex, the 3-in-1 Science Laboratory Complex and two major lecture theatres among projects commissioned in August 2026.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Adeleke placed emphasis on what he described as the university's sustained industrial harmony and uninterrupted academic calendar.

He said UNIOSUN had, over the past five years, neither missed an academic session nor failed to graduate students as and when due.

The Governor also stated that UNIOSUN became the second state-owned university to fully implement the 2025 Federal Government–staff union agreement, describing staff welfare and the institution's teaching and learning environment as major priorities of his administration.

Why Adeleke Backed Continuity

Explaining his decision to approve a two-year extension of the Vice-Chancellor's tenure from January 4, 2027, Adeleke said the decision followed strategic consultations and compliance with the relevant state law.

He said the extension had subsequently been supported by an amendment to the Osun State University Law (2006) passed by the Osun State House of Assembly earlier in September.

The Governor maintained that the decision was based on what he described as legality, merit and the overall interest of the university.

“My decision was well guided and it is rooted in legality, and in the overall best interest of the University,” Adeleke said.

He also linked the continuity argument to other recent decisions concerning the university, including the appointment of a new Chancellor and the dissolution and reconstitution of the Governing Council.

According to him, those decisions followed reviews aimed at accelerating the institution's development.

Adeleke further stated that the government would not allow the preferences of any staff union to determine decisions that fall within the lawful responsibilities of government and the university's governing structures.

Medical School, Student Population and Federal Projects

Highlighting the Vice-Chancellor's reported achievements, the Governor said the university had attracted five major Federal Government projects in September 2026, with foundations laid and a target of completing the projects before December 2027.

He also pointed to developments in the university's medical programme, saying the Vice-Chancellor inherited what he described as a struggling medical school and subsequently worked towards meeting the accreditation requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Adeleke said the university had presented its pioneer set of 90 MBBS students for MDCN induction and the award of UNIOSUN degrees.

He further disclosed that the university's student population had increased from 14,260 in 2022 to 42,791 in 2026, while also highlighting the completion and commissioning of the 250-bed Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital.

According to the Governor, the hospital has commenced full operations.

On the university's national and continental visibility, Adeleke said UNIOSUN had recorded its strongest ranking performance in 11 years, placing third among state universities in Nigeria, 19th among 312 universities nationally and 137th among 2,390 universities in Africa.

Call for Unity

The Governor urged the university's management and staff to work with the Governing Council to sustain the reported gains and pursue further institutional development.

He pledged continued government support for university governance and service delivery, saying the administration would seek to anticipate the institution's needs rather than wait for problems to emerge before intervening.

Adeleke also appealed to staff members to remain united in the interest of peace and progress within the university.

“I assure every staff member that no one shall be denied their legitimate dues under this administration,” he said.

The Governor's position places continuity, institutional stability and documented development at the centre of the government's justification for retaining the Vice-Chancellor beyond the expiration of the current tenure.

Source: Statement by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor.

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