Fountain University VC Decries Land Grabbers Activities
•As Institution Set For 15th Convocation
• Highlights Achievements
The Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Professor Ramota Karim, has decried the encroachment of the university land by land grabbers.
Prof. Karim, who spoke on Wednesday at a press briefing on the 15th convocation ceremony of the institution, noted that the encroachment issue is posing a serious challenge to the university.
She, however, said the university management is engaging relevant authorities and community stakeholders on how to safeguard the school and advance development projects.
The Vice Chancellor said, “Like any growing institution, Fountain University faces challenges that test our resilience and strategic planning. The encroachment on University land has posed obstacles. Despite this, proactive engagement with relevant authorities and community stakeholders is ongoing to safeguard our campus and
advance development projects.”
Speaking further, Prof Karim said 508 students would be convocating during the ceremony coming up on Wednesday January 14, 2026.
Providing the breakdown of the graduands, the Vice Chancellor said, “This distinguished cohort includes 426 undergraduates, comprising 43 First Class Honours, 190 Second Class Upper, 135 Second Class Lower, 51 Third Class, and 7 Pass degree graduates.
“Additionally, 81 Postgraduate students will be conferred with advanced degrees, including a PhD in the Department of Biological Science (Microbiology
option).
“A landmark achievement for the University is the graduation of the first
cohort of our Law Programme, consisting of 32 graduands—all of whom, by the grace of Allah, have successfully met the requirements and will gain admission into the Nigerian Law School this year.”
Highlighting some of the achievements of the university in the past academic session, Prof Karim, said the institution’s research output and grant attraction recorded remarkable improvement.
She noted that some lecturers at the university were able to attract research grants which has propelled the school as one of the best in the country.
“Professor Nusrah Afolabi-Balogun, in collaboration with Dr Sarah Pensa of the University of Cambridge, secured additional international research funding totalling £83,400, comprising £56,000 for research equipment under the UKRI–ISFP scheme, £23,000 for Biobank creation through the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA programme, and £4,600 from the Africa-Oxford Initiative Catalyst Grant.
“Dr Remi Kasali Alatise, Department of Sociology and Criminology won
a €5,000 grant from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Sweden to study youth extremism, while Dr Kolawole Lateef Kazeem secured a fellowship from the Social Sciences in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP), United Kingdom. In addition, Professor Simiat Ogunbode, Department of Chemical Sciences, emerged as a recipient of the revitalised Senate Research Grant,” she noted.
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On international collaboration, the university Vice Chancellor, said, “Notably, its partnership with the University of Cambridge yielded three additional research grants in biomedical research, enhancing Fountain University’s global academic
profile.”
Prof. Karim further reiterated the institution’s commitment to societal impact and civic responsibility to the host community.
According to her, “Our students actively participated in initiatives that addressed the needs of local and host communities, applying their professional knowledge and ethical values in practical ways.
“The Fountain University Law Clinic organised legal sensitisation programmes for nursing mothers in Isale Agbara, empowering vulnerable community members with critical knowledge of their rights.
“Nursing Science students, in collaboration with healthcare practitioners from the United States, conducted medical outreach in Ejigbo, Osun State, providing essential health education, screenings, and care to underserved populations.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
