Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Visits UNIOSUN, Seeks Strategic Partnership Opportunities

The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, on Tuesday led a delegation on a strategic visit to Osun State University to explore areas of collaboration between the Canadian Government and the Institution.

Rojas-Arbulu, who was accompanied by his second-in-command, Benedicta Emavoun, said the visit was driven by Canada’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria through impactful Institutional partnerships.

Speaking during a meeting with the University Management, the Deputy High Commissioner described Nigeria as a great Nation with enormous potential, noting that Canada is eager to deepen ties. He, however, emphasized that the central issue is identifying practical pathways for engagement.

“Nigeria is a very great country that Canada is looking up to collaborate with. The key question is how do we connect, collaborate, and partner in ways that will benefit both countries,” he stated.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, affirmed that the University possesses strong capacity in education, ICT, and healthcare, assuring the delegation that the Institution is fully prepared to ensure any collaboration succeeds and yields measurable impact.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada for its sustained support to the University, particularly in the areas of food security and information technology through various Canadian foundations. He noted that such support has contributed significantly to the Institution’s development trajectory.

Professor Adebooye further highlighted opportunities for broader regional cooperation, pointing out that Manitoba is globally recognized for its strength in power generation. He suggested that, given the evolving legal framework that allows states greater participation in electricity generation, the Osun State Government could partner with Manitoba to address electricity challenges and provide sustainable power solutions for the state.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured several strategic facilities within the University, including its laboratory accredited by the World Health Organization, the Institution’s Computer-Based Test Centre used for interNational examiNations, and the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital.

Impressed by what they described as remarkable progress, the Canadian team commended the Vice-Chancellor, the University Management, and the state government for their commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and infrastructural development. They expressed strong interest in fostering long-term collaboration with both the University and the state.

The visit marks another significant milestone in Osun State University’s growing interNational engagement drive and reinforces its reputation as a forward-looking Institution positioned for global partnerships in education, research, health, and technological advancement.