The immediate past Registrar of the University of Ibadan (UI), Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi has stressed the need for staff of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) to see the institution as an important part of the premier institution that reflects the essential characteristics of the whole.
Mrs. Faluyi who was for seven years Deputy Registrar/ Secretary of CoMUI made the assertion while delivering a lecture at the 25th Edition of the capacity-building workshop of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan’s Monthly Workshop for a Well-informed Workforce (MWWW) held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre. She spoke on the topic, "A Part That Reflects the Whole: The College of Medicine As A Microcosm of The University of Ibadan.”
Emphasizing the distinct similarities between the University as a whole and the College which is a constituent part, she stated, “The Universityof Ibadan and College of Medicine were established as foundational pillars of higher education and healthcare in West Africa. Both reflect shared historical legacies, administrative dynamics and socio-economic pressures. The historical ethos of UI as the premier university finds its expression in the tradition, physical architecture and academic rigour of the CoMUI. The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan provides useful institutional lens through which one can understand the character, achievements, constraints and future possibilities of the University of Ibadan.” She said she had observed the University and her College of Medicine developing over the years.
Mrs. Faluyi, who also explained the relationships between the two institutions, their various arms and structures, said UI and CoMUI have a lot in common in the area of governance, human capital, financial sustainability, digital transformation, academic excellence, student experience, research and innovation, as well as community engagement.
The guest speaker pointed out that of UI’s 643 professors, 150 (about 23%) are academic staff of CoMUI. In addition, she stated that 80% of grants received by UI are domiciled in the College. Mrs. Faluyi further commented, “The mutual and cordial relationship between UI and CoMUI over the years has provided opportunities for CoMUI to serve as a testing ground for university-wide innovations, leadership incubator, model for interdisciplinary collaborations and a platform for global visibility.”
Mrs. Faluyi, however, affirmed that CoMUI is just an integral part of UI, it is not a parallel entity. She further outlined the College’s unique governance structures and importance of institutional memory. She also acknowledged the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) which she said plays a pivotal role in the institution’s development.
She argued that student experience is a powerful measure of an institution’s culture while urging staff to treat students as investments.
The event, which saw a large turn-out both physically and virtually had in attendance top university officials including the Provost of CoMUI,, Professor T. O. Ogundiran, UCH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor J. A. Otegbayo (represented by Professor. O. Ibiyemi); Deputy Provost of CoMUI, Professor S. B. Olaleye; University of Ibadan Registrar, Mr. G. O. Saliu; Deputy Registrar/Secretary to the College, Mr. A. E. Odedele; Financial Controller, Mr. S. O. Ayansina; the Medical Librarian, Dr. Grace A. Ajuwon and Chairman, College Capacity Development Committee, Professor. O. S. Ogah.
Also present were deans of faculties, directors of institutes, heads of departments/units, teaching and non-teaching staff, invited guests from sister institutions, among others.
In his closing remarks, the Provost, Professor Ogundiran reinforced one of the lecture’s core messages, “The College of Medicine is an integral part of the University of Ibadan, it does not run parallel or separate from it.”
He acknowledged the mutual dependence and relationship between CoMUI and UCH and made a case for adequate staffing of all departments and units in the College.
The 25th Edition of the workshop not only celebrated a milestone of continuous staff development but also served as a crucial platform for self-reflection, institutional alignment and urgent administration advocacy.
