Olabisi Onabanjo University had an eventful July, marked by a historic building commissioning, strong enrolment growth, new international partnerships, and bold reforms to student culture. From the inauguration of the Rotary Peace Institute to a fresh push into agricultural drone technology, this issue of the OOU Bulletin captures a month of milestones across the University. Here’s a roundup of the key stories:
1. OOU: Deputy Governor Inaugurates Rotary Peace Institute Building
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, formally commissioned the newly built Rotary Peace Institute at OOU on 30th June 2026. Donated by Rotary District 9111, the facility is dedicated to research, education, and community engagement on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The event also featured the graduation of Cohorts 3 and 4 of the Rotary-sponsored short course in Peace Building, Conflict Prevention and Security Studies. Both the Deputy Governor and VC Agboola (represented by DVC Prof. Olatundun Oderinde) described the building as more than infrastructure — a living centre for dialogue, mediation, and civic engagement.
2. VC Reports Increased Varsity Enrolment at Governing Council Retreat
At a three-day Governing Council retreat themed “Celebrating Service, Leadership and Institutional Growth,” VC Prof. Ayodeji Agboola revealed that undergraduate enrolment grew from 27,785 to 34,657 over four years, pushing OOU to 15th in Nigeria and 51st in Africa on Webometrics rankings. He cited 37 new courses added, new postgraduate programmes across multiple faculties, improved staff welfare, digital transformation, and expanded partnerships. Pro-Chancellor Prof. Toyin Ashiru credited the growth to collaborative governance between Council and Management.
3. Uphold Justice, Integrity, VC Charges Law Graduating Students
At the 13th Valedictory Session for the Faculty of Law’s 2025/2026 graduates, VC Agboola (represented by DVC Prof. Oladipo Olubomehin) urged graduates to embody integrity, justice, excellence, and discipline. Guest speakers — Justice Olufemi Adeniyi and Barrister Muyiwa Odubela — emphasized ethical conduct, resilience, and the idea that “belief systems,” not just degrees, determine future success.
4. Switzerland-Based Academy Signals New Partnership with OOU
Empower School of Health (Geneva), led by Founder Prof. Paul Lalvani, visited OOU to explore a partnership offering hands-on training for students in healthcare value-chain areas. The visit was facilitated by Codix Pharma Ltd, an existing OOU partner. VC Agboola welcomed the collaboration, noting available space for a training hub, and the team toured OOU’s research and lab facilities.
5. Management Okays Sociology Students’ Proposal Against Indecent Sign-Out
OOU Management endorsed a Department of Sociology initiative to reform the final-year “sign-out” tradition, which had become associated with promiscuity and unsafe behavior (e.g., writing on t-shirts/bodies). Developed under the Advocacy for Character Training and Studies (ACTS) programme, the reform promotes a safer, more organized alternative — including a produced book titled “Character” — and was proposed for university-wide and even national adoption.
6. OOU Partners Firm on Drone Technology, Sensitises Farmers
In partnership with DJI Agriculture and Integrated Aerial Precision (IAP), OOU held a workshop at its Ayetoro Campus training farmers on agricultural drone technology for precision spraying, crop monitoring, and reduced production costs. Speakers highlighted drones’ role in boosting yields, food security, and smarter (not harder) farming.
7. How to Stop Incessant Building Collapse —Don
Delivering the 129th OOU Inaugural Lecture, Prof. Joseph Olakunle Coker (Applied Geophysics) called for mandatory geophysical and geotechnical surveys before construction to prevent building collapses, citing that Lagos State alone recorded 271 collapses (531 deaths) in the past decade. He also discussed solid waste management and urged government investment in Nigeria’s underexploited mining sector.
8. Staff Matters
A comprehensive listing of Provosts, Deans, Directors, Chairmen, Heads, and Coordinators of departments/units across the University, effective August 1, 2026.
Want the full story behind each headline? Download the complete July 2026 OOU Bulletin here: