The recently appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology (OYSCOHEST), Ibadan, Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan, has commended the college’s Provost, Pharmacist Oluyemisi Oyewo, and other principal officers for upholding academic excellence and a supportive learning environment.

Speaking during the inaugural council meeting held at the college’s conference room, Hon. Olaniyan noted the remarkable achievements made by the college’s administration in the face of financial constraints and infrastructural deficits.

In order to ensure the institution’s continued growth, he urged the government to support the college’s infrastructure development and increase the monthly subvention to help pay staff salaries, particularly in light of the recent hiring of more staff. He also urged the Alumni Association, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to support the college by making investments in its infrastructure development, as the government cannot fully bear the responsibility on its own.

In addition to urging Governing Council members to make significant contributions to the College’s progress, Hon. Olaniyan promised to discuss concerns impacting the College with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in order to find long-term solutions. Hon. Olaniyan further advised the college management to explore avenues of improving the internally generated revenue to address financial shortfalls, noting that government support alone may not be sufficient due to competing fiscal responsibilities.

In her welcome address, Pharmacist Oyewo, had previously listed the institution’s problems, which included poor infrastructure, a lack of monthly funding, a restricted admissions cap set by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and professional regulatory organisations, and a recurring land dispute on the college’s grounds.

She did, however, thank Governor Seyi Makinde for the assistance the college has received, particularly the hiring of academic and non-academic staff and the provision of funds and logistics for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other regulatory bodies to accredit and reaccredit programmes. Pharmacist Oyewo appealed to His Excellency to expedite the signing of the new College Bill, which was passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly in March, 2025, into law.