The Osun State Government has described the position of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) on the tenure extension of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), as requiring further legal clarification.
The Government, while acknowledging COPSUN’s role in promoting sound governance in state-owned universities, said the Committee’s position appeared to be based on an incomplete understanding of the constitutional and legislative framework governing UNIOSUN.
It noted that UNIOSUN was established by the Osun State House of Assembly through the Osun State University Establishment Law, 2006, adding that the 1999 Constitution places university education on the Concurrent Legislative List and recognises the power of State Houses of Assembly to establish institutions for university, technological and professional education.
The Government, however, stressed that this does not exclude legitimate federal regulation of university standards, accreditation and professional requirements, but cautioned against conflating such regulatory functions with the statutory governance of a state-owned university.
On COPSUN’s reliance on the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act, 2012, the Government said the critical legal question was whether the relevant provisions of the federal law applied to UNIOSUN in a manner capable of overriding the University’s enabling law.
It acknowledged the constitutional principle that a valid federal law prevails over an inconsistent state law to the extent of the inconsistency, but maintained that the constitutional competence and scope of the federal enactment must first be established.
The Government also drew attention to the Osun State House of Assembly’s consideration and passage of the Osun State University Establishment Amendment Bill, 2026, saying the development made it inaccurate to portray the matter as a unilateral executive alteration of the University’s governing law.
It stressed that while the Visitor could not amend legislation by executive declaration, neither could a professional body or staff union legislate through a public statement.
According to the Government, the relevant issue is therefore whether the legislative process undertaken by the State House of Assembly and the subsequent statutory arrangements are constitutionally and legally valid.
The Government further clarified that the VC’s existing tenure runs until January 2027, while the proposed additional tenure is to commence on January 4, 2027, stressing that the arrangement does not retrospectively alter an already completed tenure.
It said the Governor had also publicly explained at the University’s 16th Convocation that the extension followed consultations and legislative action concerning the University’s enabling law.
While acknowledging COPSUN’s concern about university autonomy, the Government maintained that institutional autonomy should not be interpreted as immunity from lawful legislative action.
It said the respective responsibilities of the Visitor, Governing Council, Senate, management, staff unions, NUC and professional regulatory bodies must remain distinct, adding that regulatory responsibilities should not be allowed to become indistinguishable from the statutory governance powers of a state university.
The Government consequently described COPSUN’s reported characterisation of the tenure extension as “illegal” as premature, urging the Committee to consider the complete legislative record and the final legal status of the amendment before reaching such a conclusion.
It also called for the matter to be resolved through the Constitution, applicable statutes and official legislative records rather than competing press statements.
The Government emphasised that UNIOSUN’s academic stability and development should not be undermined by the controversy, noting that the University continues to serve thousands of students and staff across its campuses and has recorded developments in infrastructure, research and academic activities.
It therefore called for constructive engagement among COPSUN, NUC, professional regulatory bodies, the Governing Council, staff unions, the Visitor and the State Government, stressing that all stakeholders must operate within their respective lawful mandates.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, institutional stability, academic excellence and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian university system.
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