Renowned veterinary scholar and former Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olufunke E. Ola-Davies, FCVSN, has declared her candidacy for Deputy Provost of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria (PCVSN), promising to strengthen specialist training, advance clinical excellence and position the institution for greater global relevance.

Ola-Davies, while unveiling her campaign agenda, said her ambition was to consolidate the gains of the College by deepening postgraduate training, promoting research and innovation, strengthening professional development and expanding strategic partnerships within and outside Nigeria.

She said the College had a critical role to play in producing highly skilled veterinary specialists capable of responding to emerging public health threats, livestock challenges and other issues within the One Health framework.

According to her, “The College remains committed to excellence in specialist training through rigorous academic programmes, clinical practice, research, and professional development.”

She added, “As Deputy Provost, I will ensure that we continue to uphold the highest standards of postgraduate training while equipping our specialists to respond effectively to global health and livestock challenges.”

Ola-Davies described PCVSN as one of Nigeria’s strategic professional institutions, noting that its mandate sits at the intersection of academic excellence, public health security, food safety and national economic development.

She stressed that strengthening specialist veterinary education was essential to building a resilient veterinary workforce capable of confronting zoonotic diseases, safeguarding livestock production and improving access to quality animal protein.

The veterinary professor brings extensive academic and administrative experience to the contest, having served as the 16th Dean of the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the first woman to occupy the position in more than six decades.

During her tenure, she led initiatives that resulted in the restoration of full accreditation for the faculty by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), following its previous partial accreditation status.

Her administration also oversaw significant infrastructural improvements, including the refurbishment of pre-clinical and clinical classrooms, completion of abandoned virology and parasitology facilities, renovation of the faculty’s White House building and facilitation of the donation of the Dr Suraj Adesina Research and Development Building.

Beyond infrastructure, Ola-Davies placed strong emphasis on human capital development, with 16 academic staff promoted to professorial ranks and 26 new lecturers recruited during her tenure.

She also facilitated the establishment of the faculty’s global Alumni Association and led activities marking the historic 60th anniversary of veterinary education in Ibadan.

Reflecting on the leadership of PCVSN, Ola-Davies commended the Acting Provost, Professor Adamu Hassan, for what she described as visionary leadership and a strong commitment to academic standards.

“I want to specially commend our Acting Provost, Prof. Adamu Hassan, whose outstanding leadership, dedication, and foresight have laid a strong, reliable foundation for this College,” she said.

“His tireless efforts in upholding academic excellence and driving institutional growth serve as a great inspiration, and I look forward to building upon this solid legacy.”

Ola-Davies also raised concerns over the high cost of veterinary education and the need for sustained investment in specialist training, modern clinical facilities and professional development.

“Veterinary medicine is a profession that is scarce because it is very expensive, and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) is doing their best to ensure things are running well,” she said.

“We would ensure standard is followed and we will religiously follow them so that we will have quality veterinarians and professionals that will be able to fight zoonotic diseases within the One Health space and ensure that there is quality protein.”

She argued that the specialised nature of veterinary education, coupled with the cost of advanced clinical equipment and technical expertise, made strategic institutional investment imperative to avert a shortage of veterinary specialists.

Ola-Davies said her vision extended beyond Nigeria, with a commitment to making specialist veterinary practice a stronger driver of Africa’s health, food security and economic development.

“We must bring specialist veterinary practice to the forefront of Africa’s progress, driven by innovation, evidence-based research, and unwavering professional integrity,” she said.

She maintained that effective veterinary health systems were essential to economic growth, social stability and national resilience, stressing the need to connect Nigerian expertise with emerging global opportunities and local professional needs.

She pledged that her administration would deepen collaboration with reputable institutions and organisations to attract opportunities capable of improving specialist healthcare delivery, empowering veterinary fellows and trainees, and addressing structural challenges confronting postgraduate veterinary education.

Her strategic agenda is anchored on five priorities: people-centred welfare and mentorship; cutting-edge research and innovation; high-impact domestic and international partnerships; modern infrastructure development; and sustainable institutional growth.

Ola-Davies’ professional and governance experience also includes serving as Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors of Veterinary Schools in Nigeria (CODAD), Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee of the VCN from 2023 to 2025, member of the University of Ibadan Senate and voting member of the Council of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

With a career marked by academic leadership, institutional reform and advocacy for professional standards, Ola-Davies’ declaration introduces a strong reform-oriented platform into the PCVSN leadership race.

Her candidacy is expected to place specialist training, clinical competence, research innovation, institutional sustainability and Nigeria’s growing role in African veterinary medicine at the centre of the College’s next phase of development.