Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Adebooye.

Adeleke, represented by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, announced this on Thursday during the 16th convocation ceremony of the university at its main campus in Osogbo.

The governor said the extension was approved based on the progress recorded by the institution under Adebooye’s leadership.

According to a statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said 40 major building projects had been completed and commissioned at the university over the past four years.

He also cited the commissioning in August of an ultra-modern FIFA-standard sports complex, a three-in-one science laboratory complex and two lecture theatres.

Adeleke said more than 30 complementary projects, including renovations, procurement, solar installations and other works, had also been undertaken to improve the university’s teaching, learning and administrative environment.

He added that the university had maintained industrial harmony for five consecutive years without missing an academic session or delaying the graduation of students.

“It is on record that UNIOSUN is the second state-owned university to fully implement the 2025 FGN-staff union agreement,” Adeleke said.

The governor said he approved a two-year extension of Adebooye’s tenure with effect from January 4, 2027, following consultations and compliance with state law.

“In a bid to sustain continuity of performance and academic excellence, I approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the vice-chancellor with effect from 4th January, 2027 after strategic consultations and compliance with the state law,” he said.

Adeleke said the decision was subsequently backed by an amendment to the Osun State University Law 2006, which was passed by the state House of Assembly earlier in September.

He also defended the decision to dissolve and reconstitute the university’s governing council, saying the administration’s decisions were aimed at accelerating the institution’s development.

Highlighting Adebooye’s achievements, Adeleke said the vice-chancellor had helped expand the university’s student population from 14,260 in 2022 to 42,791 in 2026.

He also said the administration had strengthened the university’s medical school, leading to the presentation of its 90 pioneer MBBS students for induction by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, and award of UNIOSUN degrees.

The governor further highlighted the completion and commissioning of the 250-bed Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital.

According to him, UNIOSUN was recently ranked third among state-owned universities in Nigeria, 19th among 312 universities in the country and 137th among 2,390 universities in Africa.

Adeleke urged the university’s management and staff to work with the governing board to sustain its development, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting improved governance and service delivery.