ADESEGUN FATUSI AT 63: THE MAN WHOSE LEGACIES AS A UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR CANNOT BE ERASED

ADESEGUN FATUSI AT 63: THE MAN WHOSE LEGACIES AS A UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR CANNOT BE ERASED

By Isaac Oluyi

University administration in Nigeria comes with a lot of responsibilities because of the attendant challenges that beset tertiary institutions—funding, strike actions, cultism, infrastructure deficits, and a host of others. The challenges are so numerous that many students pay through their noses to seek admission overseas in order to circumvent the conundrum of not finishing their programmes in record time.

Many times, one wonders if there are witches and wizards in Nigerian universities—as we supposedly have in Aso Villa—responsible for making our institutions a shadow of their old selves. Once upon a time, our universities were so well-oiled in terms of quality human and material resources that students not only completed their programmes in record time but were also the delight of employers of labour. Alas, the reverse is the case now! The employability of Nigerian university graduates remains a lingering subject of discourse because of the challenges earlier alluded to.

Whilst we wondered whether there would be a way out of this cul-de-sac for Nigeria’s university system, came a man with the Midas touch. Sometime in March 2020, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Adesegun Fatusi, a Professor of Community Medicine, demonstrated an excellent understanding of how an academic community should be run in times of crisis through innovative leadership. The University did not miss a beat even when the whole world was in disarray. His ability to see what others could not see immediately stood him out. Academic activities did not cease for a moment. He managed the situation so effectively that the then Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Akeredolu (Aketi), appointed him Chairman of the Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee against COVID-19 following the death of Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, the former Commissioner for Health. Such was his relevance—both at home and beyond—in such a short time.

This quiet achiever, who could easily be mistaken for a junior member of staff because of his humility, showed through his achievements that universities can indeed be run differently. For context, I will chronicle some of his achievements to demonstrate that we still have leaders in this country who inspire hope—leaders who do not give excuses but act, notwithstanding the obstacles they encounter.

It may interest readers to note that the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, under the leadership of Fatusi, now has the largest number of health and medical courses among Nigerian universities. Its undergraduate courses grew from 12 in 2020 to 40 in 2024. Its postgraduate programmes increased to 59—including 23 PhD programmes—within the same period. UNIMED also has the largest number of medical and dental specialists enrolled in PhD programmes, including PhD Clinical Science, PhD Community Medicine and Public Health, PhD Dental Science, PhD Pathology Science, and PhD Surgical Science. Uniquely, these programmes are run in partnership with the West African College of Surgeons and the West African College of Physicians.

UNIMED maintained an uninterrupted academic calendar throughout his tenure, a legacy that still endures. It was one of the few public institutions to pivot swiftly to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Fatusi sustained a strong governance framework, building on the uninterrupted calendar initiated by his predecessor, Professor Friday Okonofua. This rare feat—especially in a country where strike actions are commonplace—enabled UNIMED to produce three sets of medical doctors and dentists in less than ten years of existence, a remarkable achievement in Nigeria’s history. In addition, the University produced four sets of nurses; four sets of physiotherapists; two sets of medical laboratory scientists; and six sets of graduates in other health sciences. A man who personifies excellence, his administration consistently recorded 100% pass rates in professional examinations conducted by regulatory bodies, including Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Community Health.

In 2021, hardly a year after he assumed office, the National Universities Commission ranked UNIMED as the 3rd-best specialised university in Nigeria; 2nd-best university in Ondo State across federal, state, and private institutions; and 4th-best state university in Nigeria. Overall, UNIMED had the 19th-highest ranking among all Nigerian universities.

This erudite scholar never rested on his oars. He continued to churn out innovative ideas that distinguished the university nationally. Under his leadership, the institution established the first Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation in Nigeria and West Africa, offering five degree programmes: Doctor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, and Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy. No other Nigerian university offers more than two medical rehabilitation programmes. UNIMED also established the first full-fledged School of Public Health in Nigeria and now has the largest collection of public health programmes in any Nigerian university: two undergraduate programmes (B.Sc. Community Health Science and B.Sc. Environmental Health) and eleven postgraduate programmes, including a Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Public Health (MPH), and PhD Public Health.

With all these remarkable achievements, many would have slowed down—but not Professor Adesegun Fatusi. He continued to think in terms of solutions and innovations, particularly regarding the integration of research and development. He introduced programmes that produce impact makers and solution providers, not just graduates. Not surprisingly, UNIMED under his leadership started the MSc in Health Law and Policy—the only one in Nigeria till date—and now runs a PhD in the same programme. His visionary leadership also catalysed the introduction of ten new undergraduate courses into the Nigerian university system in 2021, including the first B.Sc. degrees in Community Health, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Audiology, Speech-Language Therapy, and Health Care Administration.

To actualise the University’s mission of driving high-quality research, Fatusi established several centres, including the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medical Genetics and the Centre for Herbal Medicine and Drug Discovery. Under his leadership, the University had an impressively expanding research portfolio and attracted significant external research grants. Notably, UNIMED was one of six Nigerian universities—and one of 24 universities across Africa—that won the British Council’s “Innovation for African Universities” grant in 2022.

True to the University’s motto, For Learning and Community Service, UNIMED under Fatusi was deeply committed to community development—a commitment that continues even after his tenure. The University still funds an annual debate competition for primary schools; the UNIMED Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics competition for secondary schools; a community dental programme in Ile-Oluji; sustainable primary health care programmes in Oke-Igbo and Ilu-Titun; and regular online and physical health outreach initiatives.

As Professor Adesegun Fatusi clocks 63 today, we celebrate a man who has left an indelible footprint in the sands of time. We salute a builder of people and legacies that cannot be erased. We celebrate a man whose impact reverberates across nations and generations. We rejoice with a man who has shown through his remarkable achievements that university administration can indeed be done differently—without excuses, without self-pity, and with unwavering commitment.

Happy 63rd birthday, Professor Adesegun Olayiwola Fatusi—an administrator whose legacies cannot be erased!

Isaac Oluyi is the Head, Directorate of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria