Osun Assembly passes UNIOSUN amendment bill amid controversy over the university’s chief executive’s tenure extension, sending the measure to Governor Ademola Adeleke for approval.
Legislators approve two‑year extension
The Osun State University Establishment Amendment Bill 2026 cleared the chamber on Thursday, September 3, during a plenary presided over by Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun. Lawmakers examined the text clause by clause before moving to a Committee of the Whole. The amendment would permit a two‑year lengthening of the incumbent’s term, allowing the current leader to remain in office until January 2029 if the governor signs it.
Process and next steps
Under the original 2006 law, the university’s head is appointed for a single five‑year period. The governor’s earlier decision to add two years raised questions about compatibility with that framework. During the session, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Adekunle Emmanuel, moved to resolve the Committee of the Whole, a motion seconded by Hon. Taofeek Olalekan Olayiwola of Ede South. The House also altered the title from “Law” to “Bill” before reading it a third time and passing it.
The amendment now awaits the governor’s signature. The document will be transmitted after the required legislative formalities are completed, and it will take effect only upon assent.
The bill now awaits the governor.
The Assembly adjourned until Monday, September 7, following the motion to close the sitting.
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Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye began his term in January 2022, with the original five‑year term set to end in January 2027. The proposed extension would push that date to January 2029, assuming the measure becomes law.
The chief executive had already granted the extra two years, prompting debate over whether that action aligns with the existing statute. Critics argue that a unilateral extension could set a precedent that sidesteps legislative authority.
Other state universities have experienced similar extensions, where the balance between executive discretion and statutory limits has often been contested. Those past instances suggest this move follows an established, though disputed, pattern of governance adjustments.
Analysts note that the governor’s assent remains a decisive factor. The bill’s language is straightforward, limiting the change to the tenure period without altering other governance structures.
The final reading proceeded without further amendment, and the motion to pass the legislation was carried unanimously. No dissenting remarks were recorded in the official transcript.
Stakeholders in the university community have expressed mixed reactions. Some faculty members appreciate continuity in leadership, while others fear that extending the term could reduce opportunities for fresh administrative perspectives.
