Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has approved a series of welfare and healthcare reforms following a meeting between its management and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, over the death of 400-level student Grace Osunlakin.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebooye assured the NANS delegation that the institution is committed to implementing practical measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to significantly improve healthcare delivery across all UNIOSUN campuses. Addressing concerns surrounding the Ifetedo Campus, where the deceased studied, he announced that the university would establish another health centre on the campus, while also strengthening healthcare facilities across its other campuses.
He further disclosed that all medical centres within the university would henceforth operate on a 24-hour basis, ensuring uninterrupted access to medical services at any time of day, and that all health centres would be equipped with reliable solar-powered electricity to eliminate challenges caused by unstable power supply. He also assured the delegation that functional ambulances would be made available for emergency medical response, and that qualified doctors and professional nurses would be recruited and deployed across the university’s health facilities. He emphasised the need for greater cooperation from students and parents on health-related matters, noting that management had discovered cases of students living with serious health conditions without the knowledge of their parents or guardians, complicating emergency interventions.
NANS formally presented a list of demands, including the relocation of the Ifetedo Campus health centre, review and rehabilitation of all health centres across the university, 24-hour operation of medical facilities, recruitment of qualified healthcare professionals, a review of TISHIP and HMO code generation processes, immediate reopening of the Welfare Director’s portal, repair and maintenance of the university ambulance, and provision of essential medical equipment including a nebulizer machine. The association also appealed to the Osun State Government for improved healthcare facilities around university communities. The Vice-Chancellor gave firm assurances that management would implement virtually all the requests, noting that the demand relating to facilities beyond the university’s jurisdiction falls under the authority of the state or federal government.
As part of efforts to ensure accountability, the Vice-Chancellor also announced the constitution of a University Committee on Health Services, comprising Students’ Union representatives, two from each campus, alongside relevant university officials. The committee has been mandated to examine the circumstances surrounding Osunlakin’s death, review the factors behind the students’ protest, assess healthcare services across the university, and make recommendations for immediate and long-term improvements. The committee is to submit its report within one week, effective from 29 June 2026, to facilitate prompt implementation of its recommendations.
punchnews
