The Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Prof. Aderonke Adejuyigbe, has pledged to elevate the institution to rank among the top three universities in Nigeria, despite prevailing challenges such as the ongoing brain drain in the health and education sectors.

Speaking to journalists on campus on Monday, Prof. Adejuyigbe—who recently became the university’s first female vice chancellor—acknowledged the impact of the “japa” syndrome but emphasized her administration’s strategy to adapt and innovate.

“Even if only 10% of our graduates remain in the country, that 10% of a large output will still be significant,” she said, outlining plans to scale up the production of doctors, nurses, therapists, and medical engineers.

To mitigate staff shortages, she said the university will engage more adjunct lecturers and expand telemedicine and remote learning strategies, allowing experts to teach without physically relocating, thus reducing associated costs.

Prof. Adejuyigbe also revealed that the university’s permanent site is nearing completion, with relocation planned in the coming months. She acknowledged the current challenge of managing student accommodations scattered across the city, but expressed optimism that the consolidation of facilities will improve administrative efficiency and student welfare.

Highlighting UNIMED’s pioneering status as Nigeria’s first university focused solely on medical sciences, the VC said:

“We are the trailblazer. Everybody is running after us. Our strength is in our students, our courses, and our mission.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to transparency, fairness, and collaboration in tackling internal challenges, and expressed confidence in the university’s trajectory under her leadership.