Ibadan — A sum of N1.3bn has been released to the University of Ibadan (UI) by the Federal Government for the construction of adjoining road to its new site at Ajibode, which has been described as the "Phase II" of the premier university.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olufemi Bamiro made this known on Thursday evening after an inspection tour of the road under construction by the University's Governing Council led by its Chairman, Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

The vice chancellor said the Federal Government made the release upon its conviction that no further development could take place in the ivory tower unless it moves to the new site said to have been acquired about 30 years ago during the tenure of the late Professor Olajuwon Olayide as vice chancellor.

Bamiro described as timely the Federal Government intervention in that direction, arguing that only the development of the new site could help and enable the university meet up with the challenges ahead.

The 550 hectares of land, according to the vice chancellor, would house the proposed University of Ibadan School of Business, privately built students' hostels as well as other infrastructure that would decongest the present UI campus, adding, "the fact on ground presently reveals that the institution has (utilised) the land available at the first phase and the present site of the Institution established in 1948."

He said the new site would be a departure from what obtains at the present campus of the institution, saying that most of the infrastructure envisaged for the new site would be private-driven: "the university with the student population of over 20,000 can only accommodate 10,000 of the students due to the unavailability of adequate space and the new site would make provision for building of more hostels for the students by private individuals and corporate organisations".

The vice chancellor, who commended the people of Ibadan for their hospitality called on private bodies, corporate organisations as well as individuals to make use of the opportunities being offered by the movement of the institution to the second phase to partner with it in ensuring that the vision of the founding fathers is realised.

Speaking at the site, Olanipekun urged the contractor handling the 2.7km link road not only to complete it within the stipulated time but to also use the opportunity to assert his commitment to quality and good job, stressing that the university would ensure that he "is not starved of money."