Today, 1st August, 2025, marks the first anniversary of my assumption of office as the 13th Provost of this prestigious College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI). It is the first of four years and, therefore, counts as the beginning. It is a significant year, setting the tone for the remaining years. It has indeed been a year of learning and bringing to life, the commitments we made towards building a College where all the components work together seamlessly for the common good and progress of all. The support we have received has been tremendous and has buoyed us through the rather challenging times we encountered in the first few months of our tenure. We battled crippling energy disputes, strike action by our clinical lecturers, amidst the economic downturn. The deep understanding by staff and students has been pivotal to guiding us to the place we are today.
We had from the start stratified and projected our vision into seven distinct but interwoven parts, which are: Students; Staff; Structure; Service; Strategic Partnerships, Safety, and Sustainability. Together with my team, through various engagements with the College community and our vibrant alumni organisation, the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA), we indeed have recorded modest successes in infrastructural development, student support, and enhanced collaboration within the academic community to the glory of God.
In October 2024, a new three-story office block, within the premises of the College of Medicine, was commissioned by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.O. Adebowale, mni, FAS. The building features a functional elevator, 12 professorial offices, 17 additional office spaces, a 20-seater classroom, a staff lounge, and a boardroom. This facility, funded by the TETFund 2023 Annual Intervention Project, will enhance the working environment for faculty.
In December 2024, we hosted an engagement between the College community and the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Chief Adebisi Akande, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Court of Governors of our great College. This well-attended interactive session provided ample opportunity for laying out some of the challenges facing the College, especially those related to staff incentives and infrastructural deficits.
In addition, we also worked towards strengthening intra-institutional collaborations through diverse engagements with the University administration led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, mni, FAS, to further strengthen the synergy between CoMUI and other sections of the University. We sincerely appreciate our Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers of our great University for the support, positive dispositions and benevolence towards the College of Medicine. We acknowledge Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, who has splendidly represented the College as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic). We appreciate her for her outstanding contributions to the office during her tenure. Just two days ago, the College had the privilege of having another of our own, the irrepressible Professor Juwon Arotiba, elected to the position of the DVC (Academic). Congratulations, Sir.
Our students remain the epicentre of the activities of the College, and we have continued to make their welfare a priority. All the programmes that were presented for accreditation in the year obtained full NUC accreditation. Also, the MBBS and BDS programmes obtained full Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) accreditation. We have made tremendous efforts to improve the living conditions at Alexander Brown Hall (ABH) despite the power supply challenges. The College of Medicine Education Unit (CMEU) has been leading in ensuring the necessary adjustments and tweaks to the curriculum, as required by the National Universities Commission. I thank all departments, academics and other support staff, for their commitment to training world-class graduates of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
Our obligation to support our students in every way possible has been sacrosanct. The Deans of our Faculties continue to support our students in navigating access to financial support, such as through the Federal Government’s NELFUND student loan. Our students have continued to demonstrate the academic excellence for which Ibadan is known, with nine students obtaining distinctions in anatomy and/or physiology. Two of our students were awarded research grants, one of which included a $20,000 grant to one of them, along with his faculty mentor. Varying recognitions, including Best Paper Presented and Outstanding Research at international conferences, have come the way of our students. We recognize the excellent performance of our students at the NiMSA Games and the Chess competition of the Federation of African University Sports Competition. The Student Union Government of the University of Ibadan is presently led by a student from our College, Mr. Covenant Odedele, a 400L MBBS student. These achievements by our students are indeed remarkable and heart-warming.
We have and will continue to pursue the welfare of the members of staff of our College. There has been an unprecedented promotion of both academic and non-academic staff since we assumed office. Thirty nine academic staff have been promoted to the professorial grade: 19 new Professors and 20 Readers. Also, 14 Junior non-teaching and 62 Senior non-teaching members of staff got promoted. Both academic and non-academic members of staff have benefited from various staff development programmes and conference support. We also recognize members of staff that have brought accolades to the College in diverse ways. All of these achievements continue to make us the envy of the University system.
Our alumni have remained nothing but a blessing to our College. It is, therefore, not surprising that we have actively engaged with them to foster support for the College. The Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association, North America (ICOMAA-NA), among other initiatives, is pushing ahead with its endowment fund aimed at securing commitments and contributions from alumni who prefer to give back through long-term investment funds to provide continuous support to the College. We have also had fruitful engagements with other alumni groups. Of special mention is the Ibadan Medical Specialists Group in the UK who recently installed a 10KVa Solar Power System in one of the College facilities to provide reliable power during outages. It is indeed gratifying to palpate the excitement of our alumni in supporting the College in varying ways. I especially acknowledge the enabling support of the ICOMAA Worldwide executives led by Emeritus Professor Samuel I. Omokhodion.
The Global Sponsor-A-Student Programme (G-SASP) has continued to provide succour for our students. The Student Hostel Building Project, which commenced during the immediate past administration, continues in full swing. One of the blocks, the Philip Ozuah Block, was commissioned on 11 June 2025, by the donor, Dr Philip Ozuah, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries and members of the class of 1985. We appreciate the building committee ably led by its two alumni co-Chairs- Professor Gbemisola Oke and Major General (Dr.) Shina Ogunbiyi
It will be pertinent to state that we are not unaware of some of the stifling challenges that both staff and students face in these times. We do not take for granted the resilience and commitment of everyone in ensuring that the hoisted flag of our College continues to fly high. You are all deeply appreciated, rest assured that we will continue to work assiduously to ensure a viable environment that encourages productivity and excellence.
I salute the Deputy Provost, the Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the College, the Financial Controller, the Medical Librarian, and every member of my administration, as well as the indefatigable Deans, Directors, and HODs who have been working tirelessly to ensure the smooth sailing of the ship of our College, both in the calm and tempestuous winds. I acknowledge your immense sacrifices. Our past provosts, retired and serving, have continued to provide stabilizing support, thus exemplifying continuing commitment to the growth and progress of the College.
With very grateful hearts, we acknowledge the hand of God, and we will continue to look to Him for direction and grace as we begin the second year of our administration. Our passion is to see our College expand its frontiers as a leader in medical education and research, not just regionally or across Africa but globally. God bless the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan. God bless the University of Ibadan.