A Tenure Review of Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo as UIMSA Financial Secretary

On May 8, 2024, Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo, a member of the then 500-Level class, was co-opted into office as the Financial Secretary of the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association (UIMSA). At the close of her tenure, a look into her manifesto and account of stewardship reflects a deliberate attempt to blend creativity, responsibility, and financial discipline in serving UIMSAites.

By constitutional mandate, the Financial Secretary oversees all business ventures of the association, chairs the Finance Committee, leads fundraising efforts for the Health Week, and presents quarterly financial reports to the Senate, among other duties. Osaretin’s blueprint set out to not only meet these obligations but also push further by introducing initiatives that engaged UIMSAites, revived trust in the system, and encouraged financial participation.

One of the more noticeable improvements came in the area of membership dues. Her tenure recorded a 13% increase in dues-paying members, rising from 368 to 496. To achieve this, her team leaned on creative strategies like visual campaigns, a lighthearted skit on dues payment, a class-based scoreboard to spark friendly rivalry, and timely fulfilment of lingering obligations like delivering over 40 packages left over from the previous administration. A strict deadline of October 31 was enforced, and access to major UIMSA programs like the NiMSA Games, MB packages, and even merch sales was restricted to financial members. These combined efforts signalled a shift toward a more structured and responsive financial culture.

In line with her manifesto, Osaretin also hosted a virtual fundraising workshop, the first of its kind in recent years. Titled “Thinking Outside the Box: Fundraising Strategies in a Modern Era,” the event featured experienced speakers such as Dr Gladys Ibrahim, Dr Fiyinfoluwa Atinmo, and Dr Chinedu Nwaduru, drawing over 100 registrants. That energy flowed into another flagship project, a Doctors in Business Seminar, held alongside a UIMSA Trade Fair. While the seminar focused on financial literacy and alternative career paths, the trade fair gave student entrepreneurs a rare platform to showcase and sell their work. Together, both events reinforced UIMSA’s role in supporting not just academics but also broader student interests.

On the ventures front, her team continued the Clinical Starter Pack project for 400-level students transitioning into clinical school. The production included scrubs, ward coats, caps, and other medical tools, all carefully packaged in custom UIMSA-branded nylons. Her administration also launched new UIMSA merchandise: T-shirts, hoodies, and varsity jackets, which generated over ₦1 million in sales across three production batches. These efforts were extended to alumni as well, broadening the association’s reach and generating additional revenue.

Though external fundraising proved challenging, particularly with corporate sponsorships, Osaretin remained active, overseeing proposal drafting, alumni outreach, and courtesy visits. Her fundraising team worked alongside the executive council to keep Health Week efforts afloat, even as economic realities made some targets difficult to achieve.

As required, she presented four quarterly financial reports in collaboration with the Treasurer, keeping the Senate informed of UIMSA’s income and expenditure. She also played a key role in the selection and production of this tenure’s UIMSA package, ensuring quality and cost-efficiency, with delivery currently underway.

Of course, the tenure wasn’t without its setbacks. Low participation from Finance Committee members posed early challenges, while fluctuating market prices complicated merch production. Efforts to integrate dues payment into College registration systems met resistance, and overall sponsorships fell short of expectations, an outcome not uncommon in the current economy.

Still, Osaretin’s administration showed intention and follow-through. Her recommendations for future officers include early proposal writing, better incentivisation of committee members, improved supplier relations, and tighter communication systems. She also suggested that subsequent administrations continue fundraising workshops to build long-term capacity.

Overall, her time in office demonstrated a steady and creative approach to the role. By focusing on visibility, structure, and accountability, Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo leaves behind a portfolio of ideas and improvements for her successor to build upon, as well as a reminder that finance in student leadership can be both strategic and people-centred.