In furtherance of his efforts to deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen healthcare delivery through town-gown collaborations, the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (COMUI), Professor T. O. Ogundiran, FAS, and some members of Management and the Executive Committee, paid a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The team was received at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Health at the State Secretariat in Ibadan.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. A.K. Ayinde, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of sustained partnership among the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (COMUI), University College Hospital (UCH), and the Oyo State Ministry of Health. He noted that such collaborations are vital to strengthening research, policy formulation, and training, particularly as the state intensifies efforts to improve primary healthcare services and ensure the delivery of quality health services to communities across Oyo State and Nigeria.
The Provost, Professor Ogundiran, congratulated all citizens on the 50th anniversary of Oyo State. He commended the Commissioner and all members of her cabinet on the progress recorded since assuming office. He stated that healthcare delivery is a collective responsibility and emphasized COMUI's tripod mandate: teaching and training to produce skilled health manpower, research, and community service. He narrated the significant contribution of research output from the College to the University of Ibadan's ranking and global reputation. He emphasized the need for greater synergy among stakeholders to fully harness the benefits of collaboration. He noted that while appreciable progress had been made, much remained to be done toward advancing healthcare and assured the Commissioner of the College's readiness to strengthen partnerships with the Ministry.
In her response, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ajetunmobi, thanked the Provost and his management team for the visit and warmly acknowledged the presence of some of her former teachers at the medical school. She expressed delight that the old narrative that the University College Hospital (UCH) and the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (COMUI), operate in isolation from the Ministry is gradually changing. She reassured the delegation that the Oyo State Ministry of Health, through its agencies and departments, remains open to collaboration within its capacity, particularly in research, manpower development, and related initiatives.
Professor B. M. Kolude, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, took the audience down memory lane. He recalled that the College of Medicine began in Oyo State long before its formal establishment. He added that the University College Hospital (UCH) also did not start as a standalone institution, noting that both institutions evolved through shared experiences and partnerships. He further explained that the contents of many of the textbooks used in the early years were informed by the practices of medical professionals from Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan. He stressed that the shared history presents an opportunity to “get things right,” and added that meaningful collaboration should drive progress and institutional evolution. He commended the Provost for championing partnerships and concluded that the establishment of the medical school in Ibadan, Oyo State, was not a mistake.
Professor Oyeronke Odunola, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health for the long-standing collaboration in granting ethical approvals to University of Ibadan researchers.
Mr. A. E. Odedele, Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the College, delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of COMUI, joining other dignitaries in congratulating Oyo State on its 50th anniversary. He thanked the Commissioner and her team for the warm reception and reassurance of the Ministry's continued support. He presented COMUI souvenirs to Dr. Ajetunmobi.
Other officers who joined the Commissioner to receive the COMUI team include: Dr. I. A. Fasasi, Director of Tertiary Healthcare Services; Dr. O. A. Aremu, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics; Dr. O. A. Babatunde, Director of Public Health; Pharmacist M. A. Adewole, Director of Pharmaceutical Services; Mrs. Beatrice A. Adeoye, Director of Nursing Services; Dr. O. J. Babalola, Director of Secondary Healthcare and Training; Mr. J. A. Akanbi, Director of Administration and Supplies; Mrs. Afusat A. Akande, Director of Food, Water and Laboratory Services; and Mr. G. A. Adeyemi, Director of Finance and Accounts.
Others on the Provost's entourage were Dr. Grace Ajuwon, Medical Librarian; Professor M. D. Dairo, Dean, Faculty of Public Health, COMUI; Professor Prisca Adejumo, Dean, Faculty of Nursing, represented by Professor Beatrice M. Ohaeri; Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Professor Taiwo R. Kotila; Dr. Olayinka Egbokhare, Controller, Biomedical Communication Centre (BCC); and Mrs. Funmilola Enobabor, Principal Assistant Registrar, Provost’s Office.
