Osun Assembly Moves to Amend UNIOSUN Law, Proposes Two-Year VC Tenure Extension

The Osun State House of Assembly has begun the process of amending the law establishing Osun State University (UNIOSUN), about two decades after the institution was founded.

Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, announced the move during plenary on Wednesday after lawmakers received a letter from Governor Ademola Adeleke requesting amendments to the Executive Bill.

The governor’s letter, dated July 27, 2026, was formally presented to the House during the sitting. Consideration of the proposed legislation had reportedly been delayed by activities linked to the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Presenting the bill’s policy thrust, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Sikiru Bajepade, said the amendment would extend the tenure of the UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor by two years. The bill would also establish a framework for grants and scholarships for students of the university.

Bajepade said the proposed changes were intended to strengthen public interest in the institution and support its continued growth and development.

Several lawmakers, including Taofeek Olayiwola, Adewumi Adeyemi, Lawrence Adeoti, Kanmi Ajibola and Adekunle Oladimeji, backed the proposed extension of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure. They pointed to what they described as significant progress recorded during the five-year tenure of Professor Odunayo Olabooye.

The lawmakers argued that retaining the Vice-Chancellor for an additional two years could provide continuity, improve staff welfare and institutional stability, and boost productivity within the university. They said the extension could also provide a benchmark for future leadership of the institution.

“The Vice-Chancellor has done excellently well. The extension could provide continuity and serve as a standard for whoever would assume leadership of the university afterwards,” the lawmakers said.

Egbedun supported the submissions, saying the proposed amendment could deliver benefits to Osun State University and contribute to its continued development. The bill subsequently passed second reading after it was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Adekunle Oladimeji, and seconded by Lawrence Adeoti.

The Speaker had earlier welcomed lawmakers back to legislative duties following the governorship election, urging them to return with renewed commitment to effective representation, transparency and responsive leadership. The Osun State Debt Management Office Establishment Amendment Bill 2026 also passed first reading during the sitting.