UI Considering the Possibility of Admitting More Undergraduates — Acting VC

The premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan has announced that it is considering the possibility of admitting more students into its undergraduate program.

This was disclosed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola while speaking at the groundbreaking and foundations laying ceremony of a private; Jad Hostel, established by Hyperch O. A. Limited.

Prof. Adebola hinted that the rise in the establishment of more private hostels on campus coupled with the university’s tradition of housing its fresh and final student on campus informed the consideration of admitting more students than the University currently does.

The Acting VC said, “now that we have private hostels springing up in UI under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, UI may admit more undergraduate students as private hostels provide additional accommodation for our students”.

Prof. Adebola who commended the role of private investors in providing accommodation for students hinted that one of the university’s challenge is the provision of accommodation for students. He thereby expressed delight in the role of new investors in this regard indicating that ‘this is a clear manifestation of an ideal relationship between town and gown.’

While commending the Chairman of Jad hostel, who is also an alumnus of the university, Mr Yemi Abei for his bold step, Prof. Ekanola noted that if the ex-student had left UI with terrible experiences, he would probably not have bothered to come back to invest in his alma mater, congratulating Mr Abei on his measure of success.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Hyperch O. A. Ltd, Mr. Yemi Abei had commended UI for implementing PPP policy which he said encouraged private investors to put their money in the education sector, pointing out that many universities in the country have yet to follow UI’s model.

Mr. Abei said, ‘we are here to establish a 200 roomed world-class Hostel that the students will really enjoy. I finished from UI and I want to leverage my past experience to put in place a student-friendly hostel that will give value for money.

Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Registrar in the VC’s office, Mr. Oluwole Dada who represented the Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi, the Director of Works and Maintenance, Engineer Olufemi Adetolu, the Director of Physical Planning, Mr. Samuel Olaniyan among others