The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Professor Olugbenga Ige, on Monday announced that a total of 32 students will bag First Class honours as the institution graduates 5,799 students during its 14th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for December 12 and 13.
This is just as Prof. Ige disclosed that the university had approved automatic employment for all 32 First Class graduates, after completion of their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the gesture as a deliberate investment in excellence and a strategic step toward retaining top-tier talent within the institution.
Speaking at a pre-convocation press conference held at the Senate Chamber of the University, the VC disclosed that the graduating cohort comprises 5,251 undergraduates, 526 postgraduate students, and 22 diploma recipients.
Specifically, he said graduates compromise 32 First Class; 1,444 Second Class Upper; 3,177 Second Class Lower; 582 Third Class and 16 Pass.
His words: “These numbers tell a story of resilience, commitment and excellence. This convocation is not just a ceremony; it is a harvest of years of sacrifice. For me personally, it marks a season of reflection. Five years ago, I came with a blueprint and a prayer, not just to manage, but to transform this university. Today, I can say with gratitude that we have come a very long way.”
Prof. Ige said this year’s convocation holds special significance, describing it as “a powerful confluence of past, present, and future,” and his final convocation address as Vice Chancellor.
Emphasizing on the 32 graduates granted automatic employment, the VC said, “these students have distinguished themselves through hard work, discipline, and academic brilliance. As a university that values merit, we believe it is only fitting to offer them immediate employment so they can contribute to the academic and administrative strength of AAUA.”
He added that the initiative would not only reward outstanding performance but also deepen the university’s human resource capacity in critical areas.
Prof. Ige said one of his administration’s earliest priorities was restoring academic integrity and strengthening quality assurance across all programmes.
“The most valuable currency of any university is its academic integrity. We deliberately overhauled our programmes, strengthened examination systems, invested in staff capacity, and ensured students’ rights and responsibilities were upheld.”
He added that all academic programmes currently enjoy 100 per cent accreditation status from the National Universities Commission (NUC), including recent resource verification for new programmes.
“Just recently, three AAUA graduates — Ojuko Temitayo Victoria, Eniola Alice Aladeloba, and Akinola Shalom Tinuoluwa recorded First Class results at the Nigerian Law School. This achievement reaffirmed that the quality of manpower we train competes globally,” he said.
Celebrating what he called a “historic academic milestone,” Prof. Ige disclosed that nine AAUA lecturers were ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally in the 2024 Elsevier–Stanford Global Ranking of Top Scientists.
“This is not a small feat. It speaks to our growing reputation on the global research map,” he stated.
He gave special recognition to Professor Sunday Olatunji, Dean of Computing, describing him as “a pioneer whose work in artificial intelligence and machine learning has earned both national and international acclaim.”
The VC listed the establishment of three new faculties—Allied Health Sciences, Administration and Management Sciences, and Computing as one of his proudest achievements.
“These new faculties have expanded the academic landscape of AAUA and opened fresh opportunities for students to pursue contemporary disciplines,” he said.
One of the most dramatic developments under his tenure, he said, was the revitalisation of the university’s inaugural lecture culture.
“When I resumed in 2021, only 15 inaugural lectures had been delivered since inception. Today, we are at the 51st, and the 52nd will be delivered next week,” the VC said. “This is a strong testimony to our renewed academic vigour.”
Prof. Ige highlighted multiple new collaborations with foreign institutions in Thailand, Malaysia, and Belgium, as well as local affiliations with colleges of education across Nigeria.
“Our staff development initiatives are deliberate and strategic. We have funded international training programmes, including the VICBHE capacity-building projects where all 12 AAUA participants earned distinction.”
The VC also announced that 109 academics have been promoted to Professorship, alongside several promotions for non-teaching staff, describing it as “a morale booster that has improved productivity institution-wide.”
Fidelis David
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