AAUA marks 14th convocation with 5,799 graduates as VC reflects on transformative tenure

By Precious Oluwole

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, is set for its 14th Convocation Ceremony as the institution prepares to graduate a total of 5,799 students across various programmes.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Senate Chamber of the institution on Monday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, reflected on the university’s remarkable progress over the last five years, highlighting landmark achievements in academic development, research excellence, infrastructural growth, and staff advancement.

According to him, the University has not only sustained its reputation as one of the premier state universities in Nigeria but has also advanced notably in research, digital learning, staff development, and community service. “We have expanded partnerships, modernised infrastructure, and maintained peace and stability on our campus, even in challenging times”.

He appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support for the institution, as well as management, staff, students, Alumni and the host community.

 

He highlighted other activities lined up for the convocation ceremony, which includes; an innovative Research, Development and Innovation Fair, followed by captivating drama performances at 4:00 p.m, On Tuesday, 9th December; athletic competitions and a friendly football match on Wednesday, December 10; Convocation Lecture titled Strengthening the Academic Tradition in the Nigerian University System, to be delivered by Professor Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan; The formal presentation of graduating cohort, which will take place on Friday, 12th and Saturday, 13th December 2025.

 

Giving a breakdown of the graduating students, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that 5,251 are undergraduates, 526 are postgraduate students, while 22 will receive diploma certificates. Of the undergraduate group, 32 bagged First Class honours, 1,444 earned Second Class Upper Division, 3,177 obtained Second Class Lower Division, 582 made Third Class, and 16 are graduating with Pass degrees.

 

Professor Ige further noted significant strides made during his administration, particularly in the preservation of academic integrity, expansion of academic programmes, and modernization of teaching and research facilities.

The university, he said, expanded from seven to ten faculties with the creation of the Faculties of Administration and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Computing, as well as new departments including French, Food Science and Technology, and Library and Information Service.

He announced that all academic programmes of the university have maintained 100 per cent accreditation status from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while newly introduced programmes scaled through resource verification with excellent outcomes. He also celebrated recent accomplishments by AAUA graduates, including three alumni who emerged with First Class at the Nigerian Law School.

On research excellence, the VC noted the global recognition of nine AAUA scholars ranked among the top two per cent of researchers worldwide in the 2024 Elsevier–Stanford Global Ranking. He paid special tribute to Professor Sunday Olatunji, widely acknowledged for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and recipient of the NUC’s award as Nigeria’s Best AI Researcher for 2025.

Professor Ige also spoke on the remarkable progress in the university’s inaugural lecture series, which grew from 15 lectures delivered at the time he assumed office to 51, with the 52nd scheduled for next week. He described this development as a testament to AAUA’s commitment to intellectual growth and scholarly excellence.

 

The Vice Chancellor revealed that the institution has strengthened its global and local partnerships, citing collaborations with Walailak University in Thailand, Ghent University in Belgium, and the International Cultural Communications Centre in Malaysia. Locally, the university is working with several colleges of education and training institutes to deepen manpower development and academic collaboration.

Despite financial constraints, AAUA has recorded significant infrastructural growth. Completed projects include the Faculty of Science Glasshouse, the new Faculty of Social Sciences building, upgrades at the Business School in Akure, and major renovations across key facilities. He also announced the recent foundation-laying for an 80-capacity hostel, the first of its kind since the university’s establishment, funded through contributions from staff, alumni, students, and friends of the university.

On staff development, he stated that over 100 academic staff have been promoted to the rank of Professor alongside timely promotions for other categories of staff. The university has also invested heavily in training programmes, including international capacity-building sessions facilitated by the NUC and TETFund.

In the area of student welfare, the Vice Chancellor listed the Work-Study Scheme, tuition subsidies for physically challenged students, scholarships, and the introduction of e-voting for student elections as key achievements that have enhanced students’ academic and social experience.

 

He concluded by reaffirming the university’s commitment to producing graduates who are innovative, entrepreneurial, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to national and global development.