The Osun State Government has responded to the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities' (COPSUN) criticisms over the extension of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Clement Adebooye's, tenure. The government rejected COPSUN's characterization of the extension as illegal, stating that the committee's position requires further legal clarification. According to the government, COPSUN's objection appears to be based on an incomplete understanding of the constitutional and legislative framework governing state-owned universities.
COPSUN had questioned the two-year extension of Mr. Adebooye's tenure, arguing that his statutory five-year term could not be extended through an executive pronouncement by Governor Ademola Adeleke. The committee urged Mr. Adeleke to comply with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2012, as amended, and called on the university's pro-chancellor to uphold due process. However, the Osun State Government stated that UNIOSUN was established under an Osun State law enacted by the House of Assembly in 2006.
The government argued that the existence of federal regulatory powers over universities does not automatically transfer statutory governance of a state-owned university to federal authorities. The central legal question, according to the government, is whether the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act, 2012, applies to UNIOSUN in a manner capable of overriding its enabling state law. The government maintained that the constitutional principle of a valid federal law prevails over an inconsistent state law.
The position marks the latest development in the controversy surrounding Mr. Adebooye's tenure, which began after Governor Adeleke announced in August that the Vice-Chancellor would remain in office for an additional two years after his initial tenure expires in January 2027. The governor later said the extension would take effect from January 4, 2027, and had been backed by an amendment to the Osun State University Establishment Law passed by the State House of Assembly.
The government stated that with the Osun State University Establishment Law passed, it is inaccurate to portray the tenure extension as a unilateral executive action by Mr. Adeleke. According to the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi, the governor had publicly explained at the University's 16th Convocation that the extension followed consultations and legislative action concerning the University's enabling law.
The State House of Assembly had considered and passed the Osun State University Establishment Amendment Bill 2026, which altered the legal framework governing the institution. The House passed the bill after clause-by-clause consideration in September, paving the way for its transmission to the governor for assent. The government said the legislative action was significant because the Visitor could not amend legislation through an executive declaration.
COPSUN's objection followed its 73rd quarterly meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the committee raised broader concerns about university governance and what it described as increasing interference by professional regulatory bodies. The controversy is rooted in the original UNIOSUN law, which provided that the Vice-Chancellor would hold office for five years and would not be eligible for reappointment.
Key points
- The Osun State Government has rejected COPSUN's criticisms over the extension of UNIOSUN VC's tenure.
- The government argues that the extension was backed by an amendment to the Osun State University Establishment Law passed by the State House of Assembly.
- COPSUN had questioned the legality of the extension, citing the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2012.
