UI VC Charges PAULESI Scholars to Drive Africa’s Transformation Through Excellence and Innovation

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has charged newly admitted scholars of the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture) (PAULESI) to embrace academic excellence, innovation, integrity and Pan-African collaboration in advancing the transformation of Africa.

The charge was delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Simisola O. Akintola, at the 2026 Matriculation Ceremony of PAULESI.

The Vice-Chancellor described the Matriculation Ceremony as a significant milestone in the lives of the scholars, noting that it marked their formal admission into the University community with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities attached to membership of the institution.

He congratulated the matriculating students on their admission, describing their selection from thousands of applicants across the continent as a testament to their exceptional academic abilities and research potential.

Professor Adebowale affirmed that their presence reflects the vision of a united Africa where talented minds collaborate across borders to develop innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the continent.

He explained that PAULESI is a flagship initiative of the African Union Commission established to strengthen higher education, promote innovation and develop high-level human resources in science, technology and innovation.

According to him, the University of Ibadan is proud to serve as the host institution for PAULESI and remains committed to supporting its mandate of producing globally competitive graduates capable of advancing the aspirations of Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

The Vice-Chancellor reminded the students that they are not merely postgraduate scholars but instruments of Africa’s transformation, whose research and innovations should contribute to national and continental development.

He therefore urged them to cultivate discipline, determination and integrity, stressing that success at the University is achieved through deliberate choices and sustained commitment to academic excellence.

Professor Adebowale encouraged the scholars to engage actively with their supervisors, utilise the University’s modern research facilities, uphold the highest ethical standards and collaborate across disciplines to maximise their academic experience.

He also challenged them to embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu, urging them to respect one another’s cultures, promote peaceful coexistence and serve as worthy ambassadors of their respective countries and the University of Ibadan.

Professor Adebowale expressed confidence that the scholars would acquire the knowledge and competencies required to develop innovative solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges and contribute meaningfully to global scholarship.

Earlier, the Vice-Rector of PAULESI, Professor Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale, described the matriculation ceremony as an extraordinary milestone and congratulated the newly admitted scholars on earning places in one of Africa’s foremost postgraduate institutions.

She stated that admission into the Master’s programmes of PAULESI was a testament to the students’ academic excellence, research potential and passion for scientific advancement.

Professor Akeredolu-Ale explained that PAULESI is a flagship initiative of the African Union’s Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) Division, restating that it was established to promote specialised education and research in support of Agenda 2063, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa.

She noted that the 2026 cohort comprises 81 Master’s scholars representing 30 sovereign African countries, describing the diversity as a reflection of PAULESI’s identity as a truly Pan-African institution committed to collaborative problem-solving.

The Vice-Rector charged the scholars to produce research that addresses critical scientific and socio-economic challenges confronting the continent, adding that they had been entrusted with helping to realise the vision of “The Africa We Want.”

She described PAULESI as a vibrant crossroads where brilliant minds meet to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and foster innovation.

According to her, postgraduate education requires dedication, analytical rigour, resilience and a commitment to societal impact.

She encouraged the students to embrace challenges as opportunities for scholarly growth, leverage the resources available at PAULESI, collaborate across disciplines and remain focused on producing research capable of transforming Africa.

The Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Ganiyu O. Saliu, JP, FNIM, FCIML, MANUPA, fspsp, administered the Matriculation Oath on the scholars as a formal induction into the University of Ibadan community.