The A.O.K. Johnson Board Room was filled to capacity on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) held a special Academic Board session, the first of its kind, in honour of the outgoing 13th Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor K.O. Adebowale, mni, FAS.
The event was well attended by the management teams of the University of Ibadan (UI), CoMUI and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. In attendance were the Provost, CoMUI, Professor T.O. Ogundiran; Deputy Provost, Professor S.B. Olaleye; Chief Medical Director, UCH, Professor J.A. Otegbayo, who was represented by Professor Olubukola Adesina; Secretary to the College, Mr. A.E. Odedele; Financial Controller, Mr. S.O. Ayansina; and the Medical Librarian, Dr. Grace Ajuwon. Also present were deans of faculties, directors of institutes, heads of departments/units and other members of the College community who joined the hybrid session to receive the celebrant and his team.
The 13th Vice Chancellor and other members of the University management, were warmly received into the Board Room. His entourage included Professor P.O. Olapegba, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Vice Chancellor-designate, the 14th Vice Chancellor; Professor J. Arotiba, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); Mr. G.O. Saliu, Registrar; Dr. Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah, Bursar; and Dr. Mercy A. Iroaganachi, University Librarian. The event also featured an engaging documentary highlighting the life, career and achievements of Professor Adebowale.
In his welcome address, the Provost, Professor T.O. Ogundiran, congratulated Professor Adebowale on the successful completion of his impactful five-year tenure, noting that his landmark achievements and resolution of long-standing challenges are evidences of his outstanding leadership.
Listing some of the achievements, the Provost mentioned the completion of the abandoned TETFund building for teaching and research, expansion of CoMUI faculties from four to seven, massive recruitment of academic staff, payment of the long-standing electricity bill, support for the students' hostel accommodation project, phased expansion of the medical admission quota, appointment of new lecturers, attraction of Federal Government TETFund support for infrastructure, and prompt promotion of staff. Professor Ogundiran also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Vice Chancellor for his personal presence at many CoMUI events, his unwavering support for the Faculty of Dentistry, installation of electron microscope for the Department of Anatomy, and his advocacy for the movement of research grant funds from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to commercial banks. He equally celebrated the 15 CoMUI Emeritus Professors, 10 of whom attained the position during his tenure.
Professor Ogundiran also thanked him for his commitment to the progress of CoMUI. He congratulated Professor Olapegba on his emergence as the 14th Vice Chancellor and pledged CoMUI's continued support for his administration.
Other eminent personalities who lauded the outgoing Vice Chancellor included the Chief Medical Director, UCH, Professor J. A. Otegbayo; Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor T.A. Lawal; former Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Professor B.M. Kolude; Dean, Faculty of Nursing, Professor Prisca Adejumo; former Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Professor I. F. Adewole; the 10th Provost of CoMUI, Professor B. L. Salako; Emeritus Professor O.A. Ojengbede; Dr. R.S. Ajani; Professor O.G. Ademowo; and Professor Grace O. Gbotoso.
Speaking on behalf of the Academic Board, the speakers described Professor Adebowale's tenure as defined by frontiers broken rather than years spent in office, noting that his robust support ensured the historic expansion of the College with the creation of the Faculty of Nursing in 2023, the Faculty of Physiotherapy in 2026. Additionally, the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences was birthed by the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, while his leadership at the Senate and its Development Committee ensured that all Academic Board proposals on curricula and student matters scaled through hitch-free. They also lauded his commitment to staff welfare, citing the completion of 95 Part II promotion cases - 48 Professors and 47 Readers - from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences alone between August 2022 till date, a feat they attributed to his charismatic chairmanship of the Appointments and Promotions Committee and his cordial working relationship with the Provost.
In recognition of his exemplary stewardship and contributions to the growth and development of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, the 12th Provost of the College, Professor Olayinka O. Omigbodun, on behalf of the College Executive Committee presented a commemorative Award of Excellence in leadership and administration to him.
The former Dean of Dentistry, Professor Kolude, also announced the conferment of the Fellowship of the International College of Dentists on him in September 2025 in appreciation of his exemplary leadership and contributions to the advancement of the faculty.
In his response, Professor Adebowale stated that the University of Ibadan sits on a tripod of excellence, integrity and service which, he said, was reflected in all the eulogies heaped on his administration. He acknowledged the relentless efforts of the founding leaders upon whose foundation his administration built. He attributed the success of his administration to teamwork, poured encomium on other members of his team, and assured the College that the incoming Vice Chancellor will sustain the good work and even perform better. Professor Adebowale thanked the management teams of CoMUI and UCH and everyone for the lavish honour accorded him.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by the Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the College, Mr. A. E. Odedele.
COMMISSIONING OF THE RENOVATED IMRAT BUILDING
At the commissioning of the renovated Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, the Director, Professor IkeOluwapo O. Ajayi, welcomed the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale and other distinguished guests, describing the occasion as a milestone for research and healthcare.
Professor Ajayi expressed profound appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for his exceptional support which made possible essential roof repairs, courtyard rehabilitation, plumbing and water supply works, replacement of the main electrical cable, powerhouse improvements, painting of the building and provision of a borehole. She noted that the renovation went beyond beautification to provide a safer and more functional environment for researchers and staff.
She added that using funds from administrative charges on research projects and contributions from friends of the Institute and Principal Investigators, IAMRAT renovated the Director's Office, Conference Hall, Seminar and Teaching Rooms, all toilets and two additional offices, with donations of two standing air-conditioners and an LED screen. Professor Ajayi and her team also presented a commemorative award and gift to Professor Adebowale in appreciation of his support.
In his response, after cutting the tape, the Vice Chancellor commissioned the renovated building to the glory of God and for the use of humanity. While assuring the Institute of the University's continued support, he charged the staff to maintain the facility well and make it count for quality research and national development.
AT NURSING HANGOUT
In a warm celebration of indelible legacy, the Faculty of Nursing, University of Ibadan, hosted an evening hangout in honour of the outgoing 13th Vice-Chancellor, Professor K.O. Adebowale. The event, themed "Honouring an Outstanding Leader," was organised by the Golden Lamp Leadership Initiative Africa led by its US-based Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Otitoloju. In her welcome address, the Dean, Professor Prisca O. Adejumo, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the 13th Vice Chancellor for his unwavering support over the years. She described the hangout as more than a social gathering, but an opportunity to celebrate a distinguished leader whose leadership and contributions to the growth of the University deserve sincere appreciation. She noted that the evening offered a chance to step away from official duties, share pleasant memories, and celebrate the person behind the office as one university community.
The evening featured goodwill messages and celebrations, including a beautiful documentary highlighting the life and times of the celebrant, the cutting of a ‘Thank You’ cake, and the presentation of gifts in his honour.
In his response, Professor Adebowale thanked the Faculty of Nursing for the honour bestowed on him and pledged the University's continued support to the faculty.