In a significant stride towards advancing medical education and research, the University of Ibadan (UI) has officially opened a newly completed block of offices within its College of Medicine.
The inauguration took place under the auspices of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, who emphasized the institution’s commitment to improving infrastructure to support teaching, research, and community service.
The newly established office block, which spans three levels, boasts a comprehensive layout that includes 12 professorial offices, six personal assistants’ offices, 17 additional offices, a classroom with a capacity for 20 students, a staff lounge, a boardroom, essential conveniences, and a functioning elevator. This facility is set to significantly enhance the working environment for faculty and staff within the College of Medicine.
Professor Adebowale remarked on the university’s ongoing dedication to infrastructure development, stating, “The University of Ibadan will always focus on promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure development within the institution.”
He detailed that the project originated as a Special Intervention initiative by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in 2013 but faced delays due to funding challenges.
Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged the contractor, an alumnus of the university, for his unwavering commitment and effort in ensuring the timely completion of the building as part of the TETFund 2023 Annual Intervention Project. “One of the challenges facing the College of Medicine is insufficient office accommodation,” Professor Adebowale noted, adding that he hopes the new office block will help alleviate some of these shortages.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged the staff and students of the College to manage the new facility responsibly, stating his assurance of ongoing support aimed at achieving academic excellence within the college.
In response, the Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor T. O. Ogundiran, expressed his appreciation to the university management, TETFund, and the project team for their efforts in making the building suitable for use. He also called for further infrastructure development, saying, “We request more of such infrastructure to enhance service delivery of the staff.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by notable figures, including the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, represented by Professor Olusola Olawoye, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC, Clinical Services) at UCH, highlighting the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in enhancing medical education at the university.