UNIMED Vice-Chancellor prioritizes staff welfare and mental health to drive medical education excellence

Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe outlines UNIMED's strategy for supporting its workforce through economic challenges and mental health initiatives. Read more.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 5:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Guardian Newspapers

A Strategic Focus on Comprehensive Staff Welfare

In a Workers’ Day interview, Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo City, emphasized that staff welfare is the cornerstone of institutional effectiveness. Under her leadership, the university has moved beyond basic remuneration to include structured health and wellbeing programs. These initiatives encompass improved health and life insurance, periodic medical screenings, and dedicated mental health support. According to the Vice-Chancellor, these measures have led to a measurable decline in staff turnover and a significant improvement in overall workplace resilience.

Addressing Economic Pressure and Burnout

Recognizing the impact of national economic instability, UNIMED has proactively implemented palliative support schemes and was an early adopter of the new national minimum wage. Professor Adejuyigbe noted that financial stress is a primary driver of workplace anxiety and burnout, particularly for healthcare professionals. To combat this, the university is integrating "wellbeing awareness" into professional development and promoting team-based care models to balance workloads. The administration’s goal is to move toward a "sustainable and healthy" functioning of the workforce rather than focusing solely on output efficiency.

Equity Between Academic and Non-Academic Cadres

The university has established a welfare framework designed to be inclusive of all employees, regardless of their role. While academic staff receive support for research grants and sabbaticals, non-academic staff are provided with equivalent professional certification opportunities and structured career progression pathways. Professor Adejuyigbe highlighted that core provisions—such as pension contributions and workplace safety—are implemented uniformly. This approach ensures that all members of the university community feel valued and prevents the development of preferential silos within the institution.