Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has pledged to implement key reforms at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, following the submission of a comprehensive report by the institution’s visitation panel.
Speaking in Akure on Monday while receiving members of the panel during a courtesy visit, Aiyedatiwa described their work as a crucial step towards institutional development and academic excellence.
The panel, tasked with reviewing the performance and structure of UNIMED, submitted a two-volume report detailing its findings and recommendations.
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While commending the panel’s diligence and objectivity, the governor expressed particular satisfaction with its decision to assess institutional roles rather than focus on individuals.
He emphasised that building enduring institutions requires a focus on structure and continuity.
“What makes me particularly pleased is the fact that you focused not on individuals, but on the positions they occupy. That is how institutions are built and sustained,” Aiyedatiwa said.
“Proper structures and processes must be in place to guide whoever assumes leadership roles within the university.”
He assured the panel that its report would not be shelved but critically examined and acted upon.
“Your labour and sacrifices will yield visible results. The real reward is in seeing your recommendations drive real change in our university system,” he added.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming education in the state and stated that the ultimate goal is to position UNIMED as a world-class institution.
“The whole idea is to build a better university—one that can compete globally, provide a top-tier learning environment, and become a model of excellence among specialised institutions,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the panel, Victor Olumekun, revealed that the panel had worked tirelessly for eight weeks to undertake a thorough review of the university’s operations.
“We focused on processes and systems. We deliberately avoided judging personalities and instead assessed the positions and the roles they occupy.
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“We believe every officeholder should be guided by structure, accountability, and performance standards,” Olumekun stated.
He also advocated for a culture of annual performance reviews within universities to promote continuous improvement and ensure administrators remain aligned with institutional objectives throughout their tenures.
