University of Ibadan (UI) VC, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale Applauds SSANU for Purposeful Unionism, Calls for Unified Efforts in Public Universities

University of Ibadan (UI) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has praised the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) UI Branch for its constructive approach to unionism and cooperative relationship with the university’s management. Professor Adebowale offered this commendation while hosting SSANU’s National President, Comrade M. H. Ibrahim, along with members of the National Executive Committee and the UI Branch Executive during a courtesy visit to his office.

Professor Adebowale acknowledged the resilience of SSANU and other university-based unions in advocating for improvements within Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He commended SSANU UI Branch Chairman, Comrade Rasaki Omisore, for his maturity and consistent engagement with university management, which has fostered an atmosphere of coo

peration and shared purpose.

“I appreciate the vital role SSANU plays in maintaining harmony while pushing for advancement in our public universities,” stated Professor Adebowale. He urged SSANU to work collaboratively with other unions to form a united front for public universities, whose autonomies, he noted, have been undermined by restrictive government policies.

Comrade Ibrahim, who led the SSANU delegation, highlighted that their visit to UI coincided with a zonal meeting in which a new Vice President for the Western Zone would be elected. He expressed gratitude to Professor Adebowale and the UI management for their inclusive treatment of SSANU members as integral members of the university community, a sentiment he emphasized had contributed significantly to SSANU’s growth and development at UI.

Comrade Ibrahim also acknowledged the supportive relationship fostered by the UI management, which he said has allowed SSANU to function effectively among the university's unions. Reflecting on his four-year tenure, Comrade Ibrahim noted that SSANU had introduced impactful policies to strengthen university governance.

This meeting between UI’s leadership and SSANU further underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s higher education sector, particularly in public institutions where policies challenge the autonomy and operations of universities.