CSOs Back Possible Extension of UNIOSUN VC’s Tenure, Cite Achievements, Legal Amendment

 

 coalition of civil society organisations in  has reversed its earlier opposition to the proposed extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye.

The coalition said its decision followed an on-the-spot assessment of the university, as well as engagements with students and staff, which, according to the groups, revealed significant achievements recorded by the Vice-Chancellor's administration over the past five years.

The coalition comprises the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance, Socio-Economic and Civil Rights Advocacy (SERAC), Centre for Accountability & Democracy, Good Governance Initiative, Youths for Better Nigeria, Grassroots Watch, and Foundation for Transparency and Democratic Integrity.

This was disclosed in a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday, the groups said they had initially opposed the proposed tenure extension because they believed that the decision did not conform with the law establishing the university.

However, they said subsequent findings showed that the extension had been anticipated, while the current tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, which is expected to expire in January 2027, remains in force.

The coalition also noted that the Osun State House of Assembly had amended the relevant law to give the governor discretion to either extend or decline to extend the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor.

According to the groups, the amendment had resolved the legal concerns that informed their initial opposition.

The coalition said its assessment of the university revealed substantial developments in infrastructure, academic programmes, research and institutional stability.

It listed projects completed under the Adebooye administration to include the Senate Building, Faculty of Computing, lecture theatres with capacities ranging from 250 to 1,300, faculty and academic buildings, hostels, Science Laboratory Complex, Anatomy Complex, Sports Complex, ICT Resource Centre, internal roads and bridges.

Others include staff and medical personnel apartments, office complexes, and the Garri and Palm Oil Processing Centre.

The groups also said laboratories and workshops in several disciplines, including Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Accounting and Science Laboratory Technology, had been equipped.

The coalition further highlighted the introduction of campus-wide Wi-Fi, networking of the university's seven campuses for lecture delivery, provision of solar power to offices and health centres, installation of computers and solar systems in critical administrative departments, and the purchase of a new tractor for the College of Agriculture.

On academic development, the coalition said figures presented to it showed that the number of Bachelor's degree programmes increased from 66 in 2022 to 128, while the student population rose from approximately 14,600 to 42,348.

It added that PhD programmes reportedly increased from 39 to 209 during the period under review.

The groups also cited improvements in university rankings, saying UNIOSUN had reportedly emerged as the third-best state university in Nigeria, 19th among 312 Nigerian universities and 137th among 2,390 universities in Africa.

The coalition further noted the completion of the Alakija Medical Research Hospital, which it said was inherited by the administration at about 40 per cent completion.

It also said the university had secured more than 75 international research grants valued at millions of dollars.

The groups said the networking of the seven campuses had reduced the frequency with which lecturers travelled between campuses to deliver lectures, thereby lowering administrative costs and improving efficiency.

On industrial relations, the coalition said it also observed what it described as the restoration of peace and stability within the university after years of crises.

It noted that the administration had pardoned 17 interdicted members of staff and taken steps which, according to the coalition, contributed to stabilising the institution.

The coalition said its decision to reconsider its earlier position was based on the amended law and its physical assessment of the university.

It said the amendment had established the legal basis for the governor's discretion, while the achievements recorded by the administration provided substantial grounds for the argument that continuity could be beneficial to the institution.

The coalition therefore said Professor Adebooye had done enough to justify the confidence being placed in him and warrant an extension of his tenure, should the governor decide to exercise the discretion vested in him by law.

The groups stressed that their revised position did not amount to an abandonment of their responsibility as civil society organisations, but demonstrated their commitment to facts, accountability and the public interest.

“We opposed what we believed was legally questionable at the time; having reviewed the amended law and independently assessed the university, we are equally prepared to acknowledge what we now find to be a legally permissible decision supported by significant institutional achievements,” the coalition said.