Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo will graduate 3,633 students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels next week as part of its 17th convocation ceremonies.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebunoluwa Oduwole, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, announced that 2,336 students will receive first-degree certificates, with 76 attaining First-Class honours. She noted that 1,408 students achieved Second Class Upper, while 810 earned Second Class Lower and 42 graduated in the Third Class category.
The ceremony will also see 170 postgraduate diploma holders and 1,127 Master’s degree recipients awarded.
In her message to the graduates, Oduwole encouraged them to channel their expertise towards community development and justice. She emphasised that the institution’s ethos — built on compassion, integrity and service — should guide their careers.
The convocation will feature an academic exhibition showcasing engineering solutions, entrepreneurial projects and agricultural innovations from ACU students and researchers. The keynote lecture will be delivered by eminent scholar Professor Toyin Falola.
Highlighting recent milestones in her two months in office, Oduwole confirmed that the National Universities Commission had approved the accreditation and re-accreditation of seven degree programmes. She added that new academic offerings, including certificate and diploma courses, were being prepared for NUC verification.
A proposal to launch a College of Health Sciences — offering programmes in Medicine, Pharmacy and related fields — is progressing, she said. ACU has also developed a memorandum of understanding with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria to expand agricultural research and optimise its large land assets in Kiyeseni, Offa-Meta and Osoogun.
Reiterating the university’s strong position against drug abuse, the Vice-Chancellor said any offender would face sanctions under university and national laws. She added that NDLEA officials would soon deliver sensitisation lectures.
Oduwole also disclosed that staff welfare had been prioritised, with a new research and development policy and commitments to competitive salaries and other benefits.
“Our mission goes beyond awarding certificates,” she said. “We seek to equip our students with the skills and values needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”
