The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), renowned for its focus on health, agriculture, and environmental sciences, held its first Bi-annual Board of Governance Meeting for the year on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The meeting was hosted at PAULESI’s premises within the University of Ibadan and was chaired by the Vice Rector of the Pan African University (PAU), Professor Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale.

The session convened key academic leaders and institutional stakeholders. Among the attendees were the newly appointed Director of PAULESI, Professor Mubo Sonibare, and senior representatives from the University of Ibadan. These included the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), the Provost of the Postgraduate College, the Directors of the UI Research Foundation and Research Management Office, as well as PAULESI Programme Coordinators, Professors Omolade Oladele and A. A. Odukogbe.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Professor Akeredolu-Ale, who expressed appreciation for the members’ ongoing commitment to the Institute’s development. A notable highlight was the appreciation of the Deputy Director, Professor Micheal Olagunjoye, who was unavoidably absent at the meeting, for his exemplary leadership during the transition period preceding the appointment of the current Director.

This was followed by the formal introduction of Professor Mubo Sonibare, who officially assumed office on April 14, 2025. In her inaugural report to the Board, she outlined PAULESI’s key achievements and ongoing initiatives since November 2024. Her presentation covered:

• The UI Town Connect event and PAULESI 2024 Graduation Ceremony.
• The Pan African University International Conference, which took place immediately after the graduation ceremony.
• Academic milestones including the completion of MSc degrees, approval of results by the Board of Examiners, and admission of new postgraduate students.
• Updates on student demographics, the 2025 academic calendar, research activities, and the Africa Day celebration.
• Administrative developments such as budget implementation, recruitment of part-time lecturers, and the need for a comprehensive curriculum review.
• The Director also shared her strategic vision and mission for the continued advancement of the Institute.

The meeting concluded with constructive discussions on institutional performance, future planning, and strategies to further enhance PAULESI’s role as a continental hub of academic excellence and innovative research in life and earth sciences.