The University of Ibadan (UI) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Veterinary Medicine Central Laboratory, named the Suraj Adesina Research and Development Centre, in honour of the late alumnus and donor, Alhaji Suraj Adesina.
The laboratory, located within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, was officially commissioned on Tuesday by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, in a ceremony held in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Adebowale emphasized the vital role alumni play in sustaining and advancing university education. He noted that while UI’s average monthly overhead income is just N23 million, its actual monthly expenditure stands at N300 million, underscoring the widening funding gap in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
“Alumni own the institution. Their support is not just welcome—it is essential,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. “This project demonstrates the power of alumni involvement in building the future of our universities.”
He praised the family of the late Adesina for their unwavering commitment to the project, even after his passing in August 2024.
Prof. Adebowale also revealed other alumni contributions, including a recent $1 million donation toward hostel construction for medical students, as well as a N4 billion Federal Government intervention shared among 10 universities, including UI, to support MBBS, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry programmes.
In her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Olufunke Ola-Davies, said the laboratory had been a long-held vision. She described the late Adesina as not only her classmate but a friend whose dream she was proud to see realized.
“This central lab is a milestone for the faculty and the university at large, expanding access to research infrastructure and fostering academic excellence,” she said.
She also commended Mrs. Aminat Adesina, the donor’s widow, for ensuring her husband’s dream came to fruition, alongside support from Kexing Animal Health and other foreign partners.
In an emotional tribute, Mrs. Adesina reaffirmed the commitment of ADSA Veterinary Services, the company founded by her late husband, to maintain the laboratory every five years.
“Fulfilling this project is a great honour to my husband’s legacy. He was deeply committed to improving veterinary medicine in Nigeria and supporting professionals in the field,” she said.
Dignitaries at the event included traditional rulers such as the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye; Oluaso of Iberekodo, Oba Jamiu Badmos; and the Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emmanuel Okeniyi Ariwoola, along with their queens.
Also present were the Executive Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Sola Adeleke, and the Chief Imam of Igboora, Yushau Alobalowo.
The new centre is expected to significantly boost research, diagnostics, and veterinary education, positioning UI’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine among the best in Africa.
