Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo Town, has announced a total of 76 First Class graduates as it prepares for its 17th convocation ceremony, which will feature a keynote lecture by renowned scholar, Professor Toyin Falola.
Ahead of the ceremony scheduled for Thursday, November 27, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, unveiled a sweeping reform agenda designed to reposition the institution for academic excellence, infrastructure expansion, administrative efficiency and holistic student development.
Presenting her 60-day progress report, Oduwole said the reforms signal “a turning point for ACU,” noting that the university is building a system that is “academically strong, administratively sound and spiritually grounded.”
The VC disclosed that ACU has submitted several new programmes, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Journalism and Broadcasting, to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for approval as part of efforts to widen the university’s academic offerings.
She highlighted the planned establishment of a College of Health Sciences, to accommodate Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Allied Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences, describing it as a strategic response to national gaps in healthcare manpower.
Oduwole outlined major improvements in ICT infrastructure, including enhanced broadband capacity and upgraded smart-learning facilities to support blended teaching. Renovation of laboratories, classrooms, workshops and hostels is also underway to improve learning conditions.
The VC reported that the university has restructured internal committees, streamlined administrative processes and strengthened accountability mechanisms. These changes, she said, have already led to more efficient service delivery and increased staff productivity.
Oduwole emphasised that student development remains central to the reforms, noting increased participation in seminars, spiritual formation programmes, counselling and extracurricular activities. Mentorship and pastoral care have also been intensified to enhance discipline and character-building.
To support its expansion plans, ACU has initiated new revenue-generating ventures aimed at boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) and reducing dependence on external funding.
Giving a breakdown of the graduating cohort, the VC announced that 2,336 undergraduate and 1,297 postgraduate students will receive degrees at the convocation. Of the undergraduate group, 76 earned First Class Honours, 1,408 Second Class Upper, 810 Second Class Lower and 42 Third Class.
The postgraduate category includes 170 Postgraduate Diploma recipients and 1,127 Master’s degree awardees.
In her message, the VC congratulated the graduates, describing their achievements as a “powerful weapon for positive change.” She urged them to apply the skills gained to uplift communities, pursue justice and embody the university’s values of integrity, compassion and service.
Oduwole announced that the grand finale of the convocation will be marked by a lecture titled “On the Future of Knowledge,” to be delivered by distinguished historian and global scholar, Professor Toyin Falola (FNAL).
She reiterated that ACU remains committed to accreditation of its programmes, deeper partnerships with industry and sustaining the momentum of transformation for greater national impact and global visibility.
Advertisement
