By Adedotun Ajayi

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the appointment of Prof. Ebuoluwa Aderonke Adejuyigbe as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, following the expiration of Prof. Adesegun Fatusi’s tenure.

Her appointment, which comes on the recommendation of the university’s Governing Council, marks a new phase for the institution.

A Professor of Paediatrics from Akoko North East Local Government Area, Prof. Adejuyigbe is the current Executive Director of the Central Office of Research at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and a Consultant Paediatrician at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.

She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine, former Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences at OAU, Vice-President of the African Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and Co-Chair of the National Child Health Technical Working Committee.

Prof. Adejuyigbe will assume office as Vice-Chancellor after the submission of the Visitation Panel’s report. In the interim, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Clinical Services, Prof. Adolphus Odogun Loto, will oversee the university’s affairs as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa has constituted a Visitation Panel for UNIMED, chaired by Prof. Gbenga Olumekun.

Other members of the panel include Elder Idowu Benjamin, Mr. Olumide Ogidan, Mr. Anthony Akala, and Mr. Richard Adeyinka Arifalo, who will serve as secretary.

The panel has been mandated to:

1. Examine compliance with university statutes and approved academic programmes.
2. Assess financial management, including subventions, grants, loans, and internally generated revenue.
3. Evaluate staff adequacy and development programmes.
4. Review industrial relations among management, staff, and students to foster lasting peace.
5. Investigate the state of the university’s landed properties and other assets.
6. Determine compliance with recommendations from previous visitation panels.
7. Propose measures to reposition the university for optimal performance.

The panel is expected to submit its report within six weeks.