The Take It Back Movement (TIB), Osun State Chapter, has condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke’s approval of a two-year extension for the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adebooye, describing the decision as an “abuse of the establishment act of the university.”
The Coordinator of TIB in Osun State, Comrade Victor Abiodun Lijofi, made the position known on Thursday in a statement shared on his social media handles.
Lijofi criticised the governor’s decision to retain Adebooye beyond his initial five-year tenure, which is expected to expire in January 2027.
“Someone should tell Governor Adeleke that this is an abuse of the establishment act of the university and it is not acceptable,” Lijofi wrote.
He also criticised what he described as the similarity in the conduct of politicians across Nigeria’s political parties.
“Governor Adeleke keeps showing that there is no difference between the Nigerian ruling class organised in any political party,” he added.
Adebooye assumed office as UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor in January 2022 and is expected to complete his initial five-year tenure in January 2027.
However, Adeleke recently approved a two-year extension that would keep him in office until January 2029. The decision followed the governor’s dissolution and reconstitution of the university’s Governing Council.
On Friday, August 28, 2026, Adeleke dissolved the existing Governing Council and immediately constituted a new one, saying the move was aimed at strengthening the governance structure of the institution and ensuring continuity in its administration.
The newly reconstituted council is headed by Sooko (Prof) Adewale Abiodun Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman. Oladipo, who previously headed the dissolved council, was retained by the governor.
Other members include Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Otunba Titi Laoye-Ponnle, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo and Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola.
Following the inauguration of the new council at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, Adeleke approved Adebooye’s two-year tenure extension.
According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the governor said the extension was necessary to maintain stability and prevent an administrative vacuum at the university.
However, the decision has generated criticism among some members of the university community, who argue that the extension may conflict with provisions of the Osun State University (Establishment) Law, 2006.
The law provides in the First Schedule that “The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed or be removed by the Visitor upon consultation with the Council.”
It also states that “The tenure of the Vice-Chancellor shall be one term of five years.”
Critics have therefore questioned whether the governor’s power as Visitor to appoint or remove the Vice-Chancellor also gives him the authority to extend the tenure beyond the five-year period expressly provided by the law. The law also sets out a procedure for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor when the office becomes vacant.
Under Paragraph 5 of the First Schedule, the Governing Council is required to advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or widely read newspaper in Nigeria, stating the qualifications and qualities required of applicants as well as the terms and conditions of service.
The Council is then expected to shortlist suitable candidates for consideration.
Some members of the university community have questioned why the process for selecting a new Vice-Chancellor was not commenced ahead of the expiration of Adebooye’s tenure in January 2027.
A source within the university told Journalists that there was anger on campus over the development, particularly following the dissolution of the previous Governing Council, “There is anger on campus regarding the extension of tenure of the Vice Chancellor while other council members were sacked,” the source said.
A former UNIOSUN Alumni executive also questioned the legality of the extension, arguing that any action concerning the university should be taken in accordance with its establishing law.
“There is a law that established the University, any action that ought to be taken should be taken in cognizance of the law but this is not the case in the instance of the extension,” the former alumni executive said.
Another university staff member alleged that the extension could be politically motivated.
“They are using the extension as compensation for loyalty but that’s not what the law says,” the staff member said.
The controversy has now placed Adeleke’s decision under increased scrutiny, with critics demanding that the governor explain the legal basis for extending Adebooye’s tenure beyond the five years prescribed by the 2006 Establishment Law.
For TIB, however, the development reflects a broader problem with Nigeria’s political class. Lijofi maintained that the decision was unacceptable and accused Adeleke of demonstrating that political parties in Nigeria offer little difference when it comes to the conduct of those in power.
The movement is therefore calling attention to the need for public officials to respect the laws establishing public institutions rather than taking actions that critics believe could undermine statutory procedures and institutional independence.
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