Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, vice chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has admonished staff and students of the university to remain focused and steadfast so as to lift the name of the institution and make it the pride of many in the year 2026.
Adejuyigbe, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Akure through the Public Relations Officer of the university, Isaac Oluyi, urged the staff to put past glories behind them and strive for greater heights in the year ahead.
The statement reads: “This is a year that all hands must continuously be on deck to move the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), our University, to greater heights in teaching, research, and community service.
“It is a year when innovation will take centre stage in all we do as an institution. That is a year where we will not only improve on how we have been operating but also introduce new methods and ways of doing things.
“Without any iota of doubt, we did remarkably well in academics, welfare of staff and infrastructure in 2025, particularly within the short period I assumed office. Your cooperation and support made a whole lot of difference! I am thankful to God and all members of staff.
“We recorded the highest number of matriculating students (1232) in the history of the University. We were able to give all our fresh students their matriculating numbers and identification cards on the day of matriculation.
“We were recognised internationally as the inaugural winner of the prestigious Going Global Partnerships Awards in London. We paid the 2019 consequential wage adjustment arrears. We commenced the payment of the new minimum wage.
“We paid a bonus to all staff in December 2025 to appreciate their dedication to work. We were able to conduct promotion exercises. We put in place a state-of-the-art Internet facility that serves not just the academic area but also all our hostels.
“We started groundbreaking for the construction of two faculties and hostel facilities on our main campus through TetFund grants and mutually rewarding partnerships with private investors, among other laudable achievements.
“We all deserve a pat on the back for these accomplishments, though we cannot rest on our oars as there is more ground to be covered. To remain the first and the best in medical science education, we must be consistent.
“Looking back, the accomplishments did not come without challenges. There were moments our resilience and resolve were tested. There were times when avoidable internal wrangling and disagreement set us back. We, however, were able to overcome them with openness, transparency and good governance. We are better off today than we were in 2025!
“Let us put behind us what divides us and embrace what unites us. UNIMED belongs to all of us, and it is only in unity that we can achieve sustainable development. Do your part wherever you are. Let nobody mislead you. You are a critical stakeholder in UNIMED. See UNIMED as a project that must thrive, flourish and blossom. Always remind yourself that if UNIMED must succeed, it is up to me!
“Let us be reminded that the only thing that can make 2026 a new year is to begin to do things differently. Innovate where you are. Make your office an incubating room of ideas that will take UNIMED a top-notch higher! If we create, innovate and cooperate, everything shall be new, and UNIMED will operate smoothly without any let or hindrance! I therefore pray that UNIMED will be favoured in all areas this year.”
