The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has erupted in jubilation following the landmark appointments of two of its staff members as pioneer principal officers of the newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences (FUMMS), Abeokuta. While Professor Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, a renowned nephrologist and academic leader, has been named the institution’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Olufunso Omolola Adedokun, a trailblazing financial strategist, assumes the role of pioneer Bursar.

The appointments, approved by President Bola Tinubu, and announced on March 11, 2025, have been hailed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, as a “resounding affirmation of the world-class talent nurtured within the university.” In an exclusive statement, Professor Bamire lauded the duo, emphasizing their exemplary contributions to OAU and the broader academic community.

Professor Bamire, radiating pride, remarked: “Today, the entire OAU community stands tall. Professor Arogundade and Mrs. Adedokun epitomize the excellence, dedication, and innovation that define our institution. Their appointments are not just personal triumphs but a glowing endorsement of OAU’s unwavering commitment to producing leaders who shape national and global landscapes.”

He highlighted Professor Arogundade’s illustrious 33-year career, noting his transformative roles as a professor of medicine at OAU and College Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. “Professor Arogundade’s groundbreaking research in nephrology, coupled with his visionary leadership, has already elevated Nigeria’s medical academia. As the architect of Nigeria’s first public-sector kidney transplant program, he is uniquely equipped to steer FUMMS Abeokuta toward global prominence,” Bamire stated.

Speaking about Mrs. Adedokun, the VC applauded her financial acumen, honed over 24 years at OAU, where she revolutionized budget management and institutional fiscal sustainability. “Mrs. Adedokun is a financial luminary. Her contributions to reforms, automation of fee collections, and strategic negotiations, have left an indelible mark on OAU. As FUMMS’s pioneer Bursar, she will undoubtedly build a financial framework that ensures transparency, efficiency, and growth.”

Professor Bamire reaffirmed OAU’s steadfast support: “We are not just celebrating their appointments; we are committing to their success. OAU will serve as a staunch partner to FUMMS Abeokuta, sharing resources, expertise, and goodwill. This is the OAU legacy—raising leaders who uplift institutions beyond our walls.”