Osun State University Aims for Top 10 Ranking in Africa Amidst National Education Concerns
This ambitious quest comes against the backdrop of widespread concerns about the declining quality of education in Nigerian universities, as highlighted by former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Osun State University is on a mission to elevate its standing in the African academic landscape, seeking to be recognized among the top 10 universities on the continent. This ambitious quest comes against the backdrop of widespread concerns about the declining quality of education in Nigerian universities, as highlighted by former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran.
In his book titled "Some Thoughts on Education in Nigeria," Professor Adeniran expressed distress over the current state of the Nigerian university system, asserting that the implemented curriculum is generating graduates deemed "parasites and unemployable." The sentiments were echoed by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former managing director of the old Daily Times conglomerate and immediate past pro-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
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Amidst this national discourse, the Osun State University has positioned itself as an exception. According to the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of council, Professor Wale Oladipo, the university stands unrivaled in Nigeria, synonymous with peace, academic excellence, high morality, and commitment to institutional vision. He commended the efforts of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, for steering the institution towards positive recognition.
Under Professor Odunayo's leadership, the university has achieved significant milestones. Notable accomplishments include a $1.45 million research grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a one-million-Euro research project on African Research, and winning $65,000 from the Government of Germany for biodiversity research. The university also hosted Carnegie fellows, showcasing its commitment to international collaboration in academia.
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The commitment to academic excellence is further evidenced by the receipt of N80 million in research grants from TETfund, as well as Professor Olukoya Ogen's prestigious UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) award worth $100,000.
The Osun State University has also focused on the holistic development of its community, with welfare support schemes for staff and students. Various scholarship programs, including those by Tunde Ponle, the Osun State Development Forum in Texas, USA, and the L.A Salami Foundation, have contributed to the success of students, such as Adegboyega Musthafa Adebayo, who received the Nelson Mandela Leadership award of excellence and integrity.
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The university's optimism about securing a top 10 position in Africa is buoyed by the unprecedented physical and infrastructural development initiated by the Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke government. Completed projects, such as a two-storey building in the College of Health Sciences and an ongoing dual-carriage access road to the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Teaching Hospital, reflect a commitment to enhancing the learning environment.
The Osun State University's pursuit of top-tier recognition aligns with the broader global trend of universities striving for excellence, innovation, and international collaboration to meet the evolving needs of education in the 21st century.
