Adeleke faces backlash over Osun varsity VC's tenure extension

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is facing criticism after he extended the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Clement Adebooye's, tenure by two years.

Adeleke made the announcement on Monday, 31 August, during the swearing-in of the university’s new Governing Council at the Government House in Osogbo.

The governor explained that the move was to ensure continuity and avoid a leadership gap at the university. The university stated that Adebooye initially turned down the extension but later accepted it after further discussions.

But this decision has raised questions about whether the governor has the power to extend the tenure according to the current law that set up the university.

The UNIOSUN law states that the Vice-Chancellor “shall hold office for a term of five (5) years, and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.” Adebooye started his role in January 2022, meaning his five-year term would normally end in January 2027.

Assembly takes action to change the law after Adeleke’s extension

The debate about the legality of the VC’s tenure extension has now reached the Osun State House of Assembly. They are looking to amend the law that created UNIOSUN.

Adewale Egbedun, the Speaker of the House, shared this news during a session on Wednesday. This came after a letter from Adeleke dated 27 July requested an amendment to the university’s founding law.

The proposed change aims to create a legal basis for extending the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure by two years. It also wants to include provisions for grants and scholarships for the university's students.

“The proposed legislation would also strengthen public interest in the university and support its ongoing development,” the speaker noted.

The bill moved past its second reading after lawmakers argued that the university has made great progress under Adebooye. They believe extending his tenure would ensure continuity, enhance staff welfare, and improve the academic environment.

But critics say Adeleke’s extension raises a serious legal and governance issue. They question whether the governor can first announce an extension that seems against the existing law and then seek to change the law to justify it.

‘Governor cannot grant what the law does not allow’

Olatunji Abanikannda, a scholar, criticized the governor’s decision in a commentary titled “The Unlawful Gift: Tenure, Grace, and the Limits of What an Enabling Law Can Give.”

Abanikannda stated that the governor does not have the power to change the tenure rules outlined in the university’s law. He pointed out that the governor himself said Adebooye was initially reluctant to accept the extension, which shows that the decision needs more examination.

“A term cannot be lengthened by ceremonial announcement any more than it could be shortened by one via executive fiat,” Abanikannda said.

“A Visitor who tries to grant two extra years is attempting to give what the law does not seem to allow,” he added.

He argued that if the law limits the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure to five years without the chance for reappointment, the right way to change that is through a legislative amendment, not an executive announcement.

He warned that allowing the governor to extend the tenure could harm university independence and set a bad example for future leaders.

Ismail Omipidan, a media consultant based in Abuja, questioned the move to change the law just to fit the two-year extension by Adeleke.

Omipidan reminded everyone that Adebooye became vice-chancellor in 2022 through a competitive process under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. This showed that when political leaders let university governance run its course, merit can win.

He urged Adebooye to refuse the extension, saying that accepting it could damage the good reputation he built during his first term.

“Even if Professor Adebooye did not ask for it, the fact that the law is being changed just to let him serve seven years instead of five should make him reflect seriously and walk away,” he said.

He also warned that this controversy could cause divisions within the university community and urged Osun stakeholders to resist what he called an attempt to weaken the university’s governance.