Encroachers and unauthorized settlers are seizing control of Osun university's property, according to the institution's Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Taiwo Asaolu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa in Osun State, has highlighted the numerous challenges faced by vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities in administering their institutions, citing diverse and conflicting interests among stakeholders as a major obstacle.

n

Asaolu, a professor of Accounting, made this statement during the Second Bursary and Internal Audit Annual Lecture of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, on Wednesday, where he delivered a lecture titled “Ethics under pressure: Managing financial risk and integrity in university governance.”

n

The administration of a university is a daunting task, according to Asaolu, who noted that some former vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities have been sentenced to jail terms due to improper handling of issues during their tenures.

n

Asaolu cited his own university as an example, stating that he has been facing challenges such as land grabbing, illegal occupation of campus land, and pressure from other stakeholders, including traditional rulers and student unions.

n

He revealed that despite efforts to address these issues, including involving local security operatives, the problems persist, with illegal residents rearing animals on campus and land grabbers attempting to retrieve land that has already been compensated for.

n

The University of Ilesa, being a new institution, has to navigate the complex web of stakeholders' interests, including those of traditional rulers, student unions, and staff, making its administration particularly challenging.

n

Asaolu emphasized the need for university governing councils to establish an independent audit and risk committee with external experts to enhance objective oversight of financial management systems.

n

He also called on school managements to implement a comprehensive whistleblowing policy and ethical training to facilitate early detection of fraud and promote a culture of accountability.

n

Professor Adenike Oladiji, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, commended Asaolu for his lecture, saying the topic was apt in view of the pressures university administrators face.

n

Oladiji urged stakeholders to always be guided by the law in the administration of universities, emphasizing the importance of creating awareness and education to resolve conflicts and conflicting interests.

n

Mr Ajeigbe Samuel, the Bursar of Elizade University, earlier stated that the choice of the lecture topic was appropriate, given the current social, financial, and political pressures affecting the management of university finances and corporate entities.