Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Idowu Olayinka has declared that the institution with a student population of 32,228, full-time equivalents and the current number of staff at about 2,736, and according to the National Universities Commission (NUC) norm, it means the university is short of 1,834 staff in all categories.

Professor Olayinka made this known on Thursday while addressing the audience at the third edition of the institution’s stakeholders’ meeting held at the Alumni Association’s auditorium of the institution.

In attendance also was the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faliyi, Bursar, librarian, and representative of the provost of the College of Medicine.

The Forum which was anchored by the Director of Centre of Excellence to teaching, Dr. Akin Olubunmi, also had in attendance staff of the university, parents, students and other stakeholders.

The Vice-Chancellor said “the University is currently understaffed as a result of difficulty being experienced in hiring new staff and placing them on the payroll. A number of our colleagues are retiring, some have resigned while unfortunately, some died.

“We currently have 1,490 academic staff, 456 senior technologists/technical staff, 286 senior administrative staff, 196 senior secretarial staff, 155 junior technical staff, and 153 junior administrative staff.

“With a total student population of 30,105 in terms of the headcount of full time students and a total full time equivalent of 32,228, and using the NUC norm, there is a shortage of 374 academic staff, a shortage of 397 in the senior technologist cadre, a shortage of 931 in the junior technical staff cadre and shortage of 132 in the junior administrative staff category.”

Olayinka then submitted that the analysis “suggests that our staff are overstretched even while at the same time they are overworked. We cannot thank them enough for their patience and forbearance.

“We are making representation to the relevant authorities in Abuja so that we would be able to engage new staff, especially at the lower levels.”

The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, in his opening address urged the management of the institution to continually be proactive and be innovative in its ways to improve the standard of the institution.

His words: “The university of Ibadan must constantly continue to think out innovative ways of reinventing itself, and transforming itself for relevance and development.

“It is commonly acknowledged that one of the greatest areas of our national needs is in the area of leadership; leadership across the board.

“University of Ibadan must continually identify the areas of needs and address these directly and frontally.

“The University of Ibadan will also do well to create niches in addressing the most critical areas of need of pain and challenges of Nigeria, Africa, and promote their areas of greatest promise and prospects.

“It must engage in in the kind of innovative thinking that created the likes of the Chatham House. Ibadan has the means, and the men and women to make it happen.”

The vice chancellor later informed the participating audience of the resolve of the management to always strive to provide the best welfare service for the students. (Nigerian Tribune)

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