The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), is preparing to officially launch its Strategic Management and Leadership Programme (SMLP) in January 2027. As part of the groundwork, the programme’s implementation committee met with the CoMUI management on 28 October 2026 to deliberate on the fine details.
The meeting chaired by the Provost, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, focused on establishing the operational framework for the professional certificate programme. This leadership training initiative was made possible through funding from the CoMUI Class of 1974. As part of the activities to mark their 50th anniversary of graduation, the Class of 1974 provided the initial investment to establish the flagship programme. Their objective and focus is to strengthen leadership and management capacity among professionals, particularly in healthcare and public service. Drawing on established international models of professional leadership development, the programme aims to provide a structured and practical learning experience tailored to contemporary organisational and health system needs.
At the meeting, Emeritus Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, who is the Chairman of the Implementation Committee and a member of the Class of 1974, reiterated the necessity of the certificate programme. He explained that the SMLP was conceived in recognition of the demand for and importance of continuous training and professional development in leadership and management, particularly within the healthcare sector and public services. He stated that the curriculum integrates strategic management, people management, finance, change management, communication, digital innovation, monitoring and quality improvement. He also noted that the 12-week learning journey is designed to go beyond knowledge acquisition. The participants will be exposed to real time organisational challenges and expected to apply leadership principles to manage them. The programme will provide a structured platform for professionals and aspiring leaders to strengthen the knowledge, judgement and practical skills required to lead people and organisations effectively.
To support the delivery of the programme, experienced resource persons have been mobilized to produce a rich and learner - friendly course. The facilitators for the fully virtual training include former provosts, a former chief medical director, a current Vice Chancellor, among other seasoned professionals. The programme is being midwifed by an experienced education technology consortium to ensure a seamless delivery.
The meeting concluded with agreements on the modalities for implementation and measures to support the programme’s long-term sustainability. These discussions mark an important step towards translating the initial investment and years of programme development into the realization of the dream of empowering leaders for national development.
With the official commencement scheduled for January 2027, members of the University community and the general public are hereby encouraged to look out for the promotional activities and plan to benefit from this well-planned, glocal, pocket friendly, learner focused initiative. Let us ponder on this aphorism credited to Vince Lombardi, “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”