Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo is set to celebrate a significant academic milestone during its upcoming 17th convocation ceremony, where 76 students will graduate with First Class honours. The event will be headlined by a keynote address from globally renowned historian, Professor Toyin Falola.
Ambitious Reform Agenda Unveiled
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebunoluwa Oduwole, while briefing journalists on the university's preparations, presented a comprehensive reform agenda designed to reposition ACU for greater academic excellence and infrastructure development. She described this initiative as "a turning point for ACU" during her 60-day stewardship report presentation.
The university has submitted several new academic programmes to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for approval, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Journalism and Broadcasting. This strategic move aims to expand the institution's academic offerings and align with current global educational trends.
Health Sciences and Infrastructure Upgrades
A central component of the reforms involves the planned establishment of a College of Health Sciences, which will comprise Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Clinical Sciences. Professor Oduwole emphasized that this development represents a strategic response to Nigeria's critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
The university is also implementing significant upgrades in ICT infrastructure, including enhanced broadband capacity and improved smart-learning facilities to support blended teaching approaches. Ongoing renovation projects include laboratories, hostels, classrooms, and workshops to create better learning conditions for students.
Administrative and Student Development
Administrative processes have undergone substantial improvements, with the university revamping internal committees, streamlining procedures, and strengthening accountability systems. These measures have already resulted in better service delivery and increased staff productivity, according to the Vice-Chancellor.
For student development, ACU has intensified seminars, spiritual formation programmes, counselling support, and extracurricular engagements. The institution has also strengthened mentorship and pastoral care programmes to promote discipline, resilience, and character-building among students.
Convocation Statistics and Future Outlook
Providing detailed statistics for the graduating class, Professor Oduwole announced that 2,336 undergraduate and 1,297 postgraduate students will receive their degrees during the ceremony. The undergraduate breakdown includes:
- 76 First Class Honours
- 1,408 Second Class Upper Division
- 810 Second Class Lower Division
- 42 Third Class
The postgraduate category comprises 170 Postgraduate Diploma holders and 1,127 Master's degree recipients. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated all graduands, describing their accomplishments as "a powerful weapon for positive change" and urging them to use their skills to uplift communities while embodying the university's core values of integrity, compassion, and service.
Professor Toyin Falola (FNAL) will deliver the convocation lecture titled "On the Future of Knowledge" during the grand finale of the ceremonies. Professor Oduwole reaffirmed ACU's commitment to securing full accreditation for its programmes, deepening industry partnerships, and sustaining the institution's transformation agenda for greater national impact and global recognition.
