New Year Tenure Review: Interview With The Treasurer

On the 30th of December, 2025, the press had an interview with the Treasurer, Akinfolabi Akinrinola on his progress with plans made.

Improvements in Dues payment

Dues collection have not gone on long enough for me to be able to say, 'okay, yes, this is working, this isn't working'. Also, there have been a lot of delays and glitches.

Improvements and reforms to UADS Ventures

The most tangible improvement made is with the UADS Zoom account, particularly in customer service and ensuring that customers receive more timely responses. The number of people handling the Zoom account was increased to ensure faster replies and to make sure there is always someone on ground to ensure things run smoothly.

Budget Summaries

The budget summaries are sent to members, and the executives receive more detailed updates. That is already being done.

Engagement of sponsors

Although it's not solely the duty of the Treasurer, it has already been initiated. For alumni, there is a committee that's gearing up to start workshops.

The UADS Development & Grants Subcommittee

The Grants and Development Subcommittee has been created. However, based on recent developments and discussions with the President, it has been merged into the Presidential Alumni Committee. While the Grants and Development Subcommittee still exists, it now functions more directly within the Presidential Alumni Committee, where most of its activities currently take place.

Other functions of the Grants and Development Subcommittee like developing proposals and providing useful links for association members are ongoing.

The Grants and Development Subcommittee was carved out of the main Financial Committee, making it a much smaller and more focused team. At the moment, the Subcommittee is focused on reaching out to alumni and operates within the Presidential Alumni Committee.

To access a grant or any form of funding, there must be a clear project in place. Currently, the CODEH Committee is working on a scientific conference and the plan is to partner with them to make that happen. Training for the Grants and Development Subcommittee has not yet taken place, which is why its current focus is reaching out to the alumni. However, the promised links for Association members have already begun going out and are being curated.

Regarding grants, we are basically waiting for a grantable project. Training in this aspect is one of my key upcoming plans and will be implemented very soon.

Can you give the basis on which the members were chosen/appointed?

As for the selection criteria, it was purely voluntary, because I already had training planned out for members of the team. So, I didn’t set any additional requirements apart from the fact that they’d be committed individuals who would be able to undergo the rigor of writing. That was all. 

Aside from the plans you mentioned earlier, are there other plans outlined in your manifesto you have been able to implement?

The only thing that we haven’t talked about is the financial articles and, they are going out as planned. 

On the financial state of the association and how members can support the association 

Some large purchases have been made, but all expenses have been recovered. The association is in a good financial state right now. Members of the association can support us by paying their dues, being active in committees and helping us with reposts. Basically, spreading the word. I believe these are simple but meaningful ways they can help us achieve our remaining goals. 

Dentatics Press