About OAUICL
The investment and commercial arm of Obafemi Awolowo University, incorporated in 2007 to hold and manage the University's businesses.
Company overview
Who we are
Obafemi Awolowo University Investment Company Limited (OAUICL) is the investment and commercial arm of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was incorporated on 19 September 2007 as a private company limited by shares (RC 709538).
In 2008 the University placed its business units under OAUICL, with its own Board of Directors, so that they could be managed on the University's behalf. Today the Company has five operating businesses: OAU Press, OAU Table Water, the Conference Centre and Guest Houses, the OAU Bookshop and UNIFECS.
The Company operates independently. It exists to generate income for the University and to reduce the University's dependence on government subvention.
Our history
Milestones
Several of the businesses OAUICL manages pre-date the Company itself.
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1964
University bookshop established
The bookshop is established to meet the book needs of the University community.
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1968
OAU Press begins
The Press starts as an arm of the University Registry. It becomes a publishing company in 1977.
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1979
Conference Centre and Guest Houses registered
Registered as Unife Conference Centre & Guest Houses Ltd; renamed Conference Centre and Guest Houses Limited in 2005.
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1992
UNIFECS incorporated
UNIFECS (Nigeria) Limited is incorporated on 5 March 1992 to provide consultancy services.
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2007
OAUICL incorporated
Obafemi Awolowo University Investment Co. Ltd is incorporated on 19 September 2007.
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2008
One company for the University's businesses
The University's business units are placed under OAUICL and its Board of Directors.
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2012
Bottled water business registered
The water business is registered as a business of OAUICL.
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2025
MANCAP certification
OAU Table Water (PET) receives MANCAP certification from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
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2026
New Board and a national quality award
A new Board of Directors is inaugurated on 7 October. OAU Table Water receives the 2026 National MANCAP Quality Award.
Mandate and objectives
What OAUICL is established to do
Drawn from the objects clause of the Company's Memorandum of Association.
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Hold the University's investments
Hold shares in companies held by Obafemi Awolowo University or its nominees, and take over the University's business undertakings.
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Provide management services
Provide internal technical and management services to every business under the Company's control or supervision.
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Monitor performance
Monitor and measure the performance of each business, and strengthen the Company's holdings.
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Develop new ventures
Mobilise funds for profitable ventures approved by the University Council, and review feasibility studies to widen investment opportunities.
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Serve clients beyond the University
Provide technical and management services to other companies and agencies, for a fee, as part of the Company's revenue-generating functions.
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Draw on wider expertise
Engage outside specialists for projects where the Company cannot readily provide the expertise itself.
Corporate structure
How the group is organised
OAUICL is the holding company for the University's commercial businesses.
- Subsidiary companies: University of Ife Press Limited (OAU Press), Conference Centre and Guest Houses Limited, University of Ife Bookshop Limited (OAU Bookshop) and UNIFECS (Nigeria) Limited.
- Business of OAUICL: OAU Table Water.
- Closed units: Great Ife Bakery and Confectionery, and University Transport Services.
The Board has commissioned an independent review of the corporate structure as part of its business audit.
Governance and leadership
Learn how OAUICL is governed and who leads it.