By Jega
When Professor Wale Sulaiman assumed office as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, expectations were measured. Federal universities are often slow-moving spaces, shaped as much by bureaucracy as by leadership. What has followed, however, has been a steady pattern of people-focused interventions that extend beyond campus boundaries.
Since taking on the role, Prof. Sulaiman’s leadership has reflected a consistent emphasis on inclusion, social responsibility, and practical development. His approach has combined institutional oversight with community-facing initiatives, particularly within Kwara State.
One area where this has been most visible is education support. Through the RNZ Foundation, Prof. Sulaiman has supported students and young people across the state, easing financial barriers that often limit access to learning. These interventions have helped beneficiaries remain in school, acquire skills, and pursue academic goals that might otherwise have been out of reach.
His involvement has not been limited to education alone. In recognition of agriculture’s central role in local livelihoods, the RNZ Foundation has also provided farm implements to individuals and groups. For beneficiaries, the support has translated into improved productivity and greater economic stability, reinforcing self-reliance rather than dependency.
Employment has been another critical area of impact. Prof. Sulaiman has played a role in facilitating federal employment opportunities for over 60 indigenes of Kwara State. In a context where formal jobs remain scarce, these appointments have had far-reaching effects, stabilising households and improving income security for families that depend on a single wage earner.
Within FUHSI itself, his tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman has focused on governance, accountability, and strategic alignment with national health and education priorities. Observers note that this emphasis is important for a specialised institution tasked with training the next generation of health professionals for the country.
Taken together, these interventions paint a picture of leadership that extends beyond administrative responsibility. Since assuming office, Prof. Wale Sulaiman’s role has combined institutional stewardship with deliberate investment in people, reflecting a broader understanding of development as something that must be felt in daily lives, not just recorded in reports.