“I’m fulfilled”, VC Adebooye declares as UNIOSUN inducts pioneer doctors, surgeons

By Isa Isawade

It was an apparent fulfilled and thankful Vice Chancellor of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, that on Thursday declared at the First MBBS Induction ceremony of graduate doctors and surgeons of the institution held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium of its main campus, Osogbo, that he was ready to exit the university when the time comes.

The renowned professor of Plant Physiology and Food Chemistry, at the epochal event where 90 pioneer medical doctors and neurosurgeons were inducted, narrated the long and tortuous journey for the dream of the institution’s Department of Medical Sciences to become a reality.

The well attended event had in attendance, dignitaries such as representative of the state’s governor; guest lecturer of the day, Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun; the renowned professor of neurosurgery, Prof. M. T.Shokunbi; the monarch of the town; the leadership of UNIOSUN, and that of its teaching hospital.

Adebooye started his address by telling a story which he said would permanently set straight record of the university for generations yet unborn to know what especially, the first 50 of the inductees, went through to pass through the rigours of the medical school.

Below is the moving story told by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebooye:

I’m exceedingly happy to stand before you at this moment of historic occasion of the induction of the pioneer medical students of the Osun State University.
The celebration we are all witnessing today is the culmination of years of unrelenting hard work, unprecedented commitment, bold determination, and deep patriotism. It is a shared victory for all of us at Osun State University—the Governing Council, Management, the College of Health Sciences, and above all, our historic inductees. Today, we celebrate those who took what has turned out to be the most rewarding leap of faith during our darkest moments of institutional uncertainty. Around December 2011, a pronouncement was repeatedly aired across all radio and television stations in and around the State by the then government to cancel the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of Osun State University because the State could not afford building a new Teaching Hospital for the University.

Around December 2011, a pronouncement was repeatedly aired across all radio and television stations in and around the State by the then government to cancel the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of Osun State University because the State could not afford building a new Teaching Hospital for the University.
At that time, the University had already admitted two cohorts of MBBS students ready to transition into their clinical years. Left stranded by the sudden cancellation, these students faced an uncertain future. While plans were initially made to farm them out to other Nigerian universities, by August 2012, the decision was made to send them to Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine to complete their studies. Meanwhile, pre-clinical students back home were transferred to other departments, and many left the institution heartbroken. The harsh reality was that between 2012 and 2018, the MBBS program at Osun State University was effectively dead and buried, with little hope of resurrection.

But history shifted when Professor Labo Popoola assumed office as Vice-Chancellor in November 2016. Between 2016 and 2017, he fought tirelessly to restart the program, yet he couldn’t for political reasons. Patiently, he waited. Then, in November 2018, he took courageous steps and admitted a new cohort of 50 medical students. That visionary decision put Prof Popoola directly in the storm. Between November 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st, 2018, broadcasts over the radio declared those admissions null and void. With the transition of State leadership in late November 2018, the incoming administration gave the University a clean bill of health and full support to proceed with the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme. The 2018 admissions were sustained, hope was restored, and subsequent cohorts were admitted in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

On 4th January, 2022, I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of this University. But, I also faced great challenge. The University had no subsisting accreditation for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme. Building upon the solid foundation laid by Professor Labo Popoola’s administration, my team processed the Pre-Clinical Accreditation of the MBBS programme and gladly, we secured the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) pre-clinical accreditation on 18th August 2022. My team also processed the re-accreditation of our medical programme through the National Universities Commission (NUC) and gladly, on March 9th, 2023 this University secured FULL accreditation for the MBBS programme. Our team moved forward by processing the FIRST CLINICAL accreditation through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) accreditation and joyously we secured the FIRST CLINICAL accreditation on 2nd July, 2024. With the completion of the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital(MOFAMRTH), a donation to this University by the Alakija Family, our administration processed the application for FINAL ACCREDITATION through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and finally, with gratitude to Almighty God, we secured approval of FINAL ACCREDITATION of our Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery on 17th March 2026.

I must thank many categories of people for the success of this journey. First, I want to thank the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for this final approval to graduate and induct our first and second sets of medical students into the medical profession in full compliance with the standards of the National Universities Commission and the professional benchmarks of the MDCN. It is our absolute joy and pride that today, 90 extraordinary, ambitious and energetic young men and women are walking across this stage to be inducted into the medical profession.

Second, I thank the Governor of our State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke. In 2023, when acute shortage and inadequacies of office space wanted to frustrate the second MDCN accreditation exercise, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke approved funds for the immediate completion of a 57-office complex at the College of Health Sciences, Isale Osun. In 2024, the need for a multipurpose ultramodern anatomy complex was to be major deficiency for the next phase of accreditation exercise. His Excellency waded in with a 40% counterpart funding to construct the Isiaka Adeleke Anatomy Complex here on the Main Campus. In 2025, when we were preparing for the last phase of the accreditation and finance became a major hurdle, His Excellency approved and released the sum of 200 million naira to support us. Thank you, Your Excellency!

Third, we must specially commend the immediate past Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, who reasoned along with us and approved the continuation of the MBBS programme in 2018. His singular executive action resurrected the MBBS from the dead.

Fourth, we must acknowledge our immediate past Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who, out of her passion for education, love for the University and impactful philanthropy, graciously donated a state-of-the-art Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Teaching Hospital to the University to support our MBBS and associated trainings. There is no doubt that this legacy edifice complemented the medical facilities and services presented at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital as part of the mandatory clinical requirements for the all-stage MDCN accreditation. We pray that the Good Lord continue to strengthen Apostle Folorunso Alakija and her great family in health and wealth.

Fifth, we must appreciate the immediate past Governing Council led by Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Alli SAN and the current Governing Council under the astute pro-Chancellorship of Professor Wale Oladipo. That we are recording such legacy and landmark successes as this in the University is a clear indication of the synergy between the Council and Management. We appreciate the vision, vigour and exceptional patriotism that have continued to guide the Council in all its superintendence responsibilities. History will forever be kind unto the Pro-Chancellors and members of the respective Governing Councils.

Sixth, we must specially commend and appreciate our working partners, the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital. While we provide the facilities and services for the pre-clinical phase of the programme, you were ever-ready to provide the facilities and services required for the clinical phase. We are delighted it is a win-win story today. We appreciate all consultants and other medical professionals who have contributed to the successful training of these happy pioneers. Congratulations to the Chief Medical Director, Dr Adeola Afolabi, Management Board and the Hospital Management for the unceasing supports, collaboration and cooperation that culminated in this success story.

Seventh, the current and all former Provosts of the College of Health Sciences deserve massive applaud and immeasurable commendation. Your selfless leadership and patriotic commitment have resulted in the joy of today. I am convinced that the history of medical education in this University will not be complete without appreciating you for role you played to sustain the medical school. Through the Provost(s), I extend the sincere appreciation of the University to all Deans, current and past, all Heads of Department, current and past, and all staff members of the College, teaching and non-teaching, who have continued to work tirelessly to ensure unhindered provision of medical education in the University. To every hand that plowed this field when the soil was hard: today’s harvest belongs to you. And today is not merely a celebration of an outcome; it is a monument to the relentless dedication of every mind and heart that refused to let this dream die.

To our historic inductees standing before us today: You took what was, at the time, a terrifying leap of faith. You stayed when others left, and you believed when the airwaves were filled with doubt. I am reminded of the words of T.S. Eliot: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” Today, you have proven how far courage can take you. I understand that your journey was VERY rough and unpredictable at a point during your training. You were at a time between the Red Sea and Pharaoh warrior…. You did not just survive the storm, you conquered it. There is an ancient saying that “fortune favors the bold, but history belongs to those who stand firm when the path ahead is uncertain”. You have subjected yourselves to immense medical training here for the past six or seven years. Today should not just be for ceremonies but more of thanksgiving. All of you that started the race six or seven years ago, finished the race together. God enabled you to turn your dreams into reality, and your good parents who have always supported you are also here with you to be part of this history. I personally thank God for your lives, and for making this day a reality.
I’m challenging you as medics, you have been trained to demonstrate clinical competence, diagnostic acumen, empathy and compassion, integrity and professional ethics, resilience and emotional stability, effective communication and adaptability. Therefore, I want to besiege you to be guided by these virtues.

I beseech you to always be guided by these virtues. While the alluring pull of global opportunities, the Japa phenomenon, is understandable, never forget that your homeland is in desperate, existential need of your skills, your intellect, and your healing hands. Our healthcare system is bleeding, millions of your compatriots lack basic medical care, and the very nation that forged your resilience through thick and thin now looks to you for its survival. As you weigh your path, let your decisions be tempered not just by personal ambition, but by a sense of patriotic duty, professional conscience, and the profound impact you can make right here, ensuring that the sacrifice that brought this medical programme back to life serves as a lifeline for the people who need you most.
To the leadership and entire management of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), we extend our deepest and most profound appreciation. The milestone we celebrate today would have remained an impossible dream without your resolute support, firm professional guidance, and unwavering commitment to standards over the last four years. In our journey through institutional storms and re-accreditation, the Council stood not as an unyielding barrier, but as a rigorous, fair, and encouraging partner—ensuring that our determination was matched at every step by uncompromised academic and clinical excellence. For opening your doors, guiding our processes, increasing our quota, and ultimately bestowing your official seal of approval upon our pioneer sets, Osun State University remains eternally grateful to the leadership of the MDCN for helping us turn a story of adversity into a triumphant reality.

I Am Fulfilled
Despite having four months left to serve as your Vice Chancellor in this university, I will soon be leaving but I am satisfied today. I’m fulfilled. With these achievements, I am fulfilled. I am ready to go. I feel like going now!

Governor Ademola Adeleke commended the Vice Chancellor, the management and staff of the institution, and the lucky inductees.

“I want to use this opportunity to commend the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, for his leadership and persistence in ensuring that the University remained focused on the development of the Medical programme. I also commend the Provost, members of the College of Health Sciences, the medical and academic staff, the University Management, the Governing Council, the Senate and everyone who contributed to the successful development of the programme. I particularly commend the graduating students for their resilience, discipline and determination,” the governor said.

He advised the inductees to “to remember that medicine is more than a profession; it is a service to humanity, it is a calling. The white coat you wear carries with it a responsibility. The live of a person is in your hand. Treat every patient with dignity. Treat every patient with compassion and empathy. Treat every patient with respect.”