The Osun State House of Assembly has passed the Osun State University Establishment Amendment Bill 2026 at its third reading for transmission to Governor Ademola Adeleke for assent.
The amendment bill was passed on Thursday during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, following a clause-by-clause consideration and review of its provisions.
It will be recalled that Governor Adeleke, during the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council, reportedly announced a two-year extension of the tenure of Prof. Clement Adebooye.
Adebooye assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of the institution in January 2022 and was initially expected to complete his single five-year term in January 2027.
Section 3(2) of the Osun State University Establishment Law, 2006, provides that the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a single term of five years and shall not be eligible for reappointment.
The motion for the adoption of the amendment bill was moved by Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Adekunle Emmanuel, representing Irepodun/Ilobu State Constituency, and seconded by Hon. Olawale Oladipupo Akerele, representing Ilesa West State Constituency.
At the Committee of the Whole, lawmakers reviewed the provisions of the enactment before effecting the adjustments.
The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the House, clearing the path for its transmission to the Governor for executive assent.
Reacting to the development, the Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIOSUN branch, Dr. Wende Olaosebikan, said the union will reserve formal judgment on the reported tenure extension until it receives official communication.
He noted that the union trusts the Vice-Chancellor understands the legal implications and will act in accordance with statutory requirements, adding that the union’s steps will remain anchored on verified facts, institutional consultations, and guidance from senior academics.
Olaosebikan said, “We are a union of intellectuals. We heard the news, and after extensive deliberations, we understand that it was merely an offer and that the proposed beneficiary has not formally accepted it. We discussed the matter at our congress on Tuesday, 1st September 2026.”
“We critically examined the UNIOSUN Establishment Law, which contains no provision for extending the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure. The law permits a one-year extension only for the University Librarian, the Bursar, and the Registrar, explicitly excluding the Vice-Chancellor. We also reviewed the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act alongside National Universities Commission guidelines, which do not permit any tenure extension for university principal officers.”
“Our position is guided by these statutory realities. However, as an intellectual body, we will not act on hearsay or media speculation. We intend to confirm the situation through official channels, and we remain confident that our Vice-Chancellor knows the right course of action and will do the right thing,” he added.