…..VC, Prof Ige sets to bow out with extraordinary achievements.
32 out of 5,251 graduating students of the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AAUA) have bagged First Class honours as the institution announced activities lined up for its 14th Convocation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Olugbenga Ige, made this known on Monday at a Press Conference held at the Senate Chamber as part of activities lined up for the week-long convocation, which will climax on Friday and Saturday.
The VC, who described the ceremony as a “powerful confluence of past, present, and future,” noted that this year’s graduating cohort reflects the university’s consistent drive for academic excellence and stability despite national and global challenges.
He said, “For this 14th Convocation, a total of 5,799 students from our various faculties and the Postgraduate School will be conferred with their degrees.”
However, he clarified that 5,251 of the graduands are from the regular undergraduate and postgraduate streams, while others fall under special programmes being ratified by the Senate.
Ige, who is preparing to bow out after completing his five-year tenure as the sixth substantive Vice Chancellor, said the convocation offered him a moment of deep reflection on the gains recorded under his administration.
According to him, AAUA has experienced significant academic and structural growth since he assumed office in July 2021.
He said the university has sustained its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned institutions, strengthened digital learning, expanded partnerships, and maintained a peaceful campus environment.
The VC also highlighted notable milestones in staff development, revealing that 109 academic staff members had been promoted to the rank of Professor during his tenure, a feat he described as a “testament to the university’s growing scholarly capacity.”
He added that staff welfare had also improved, with recent promotions elevating “thirteen and five members of our Non-Academic staff to the positions of Deputy Registrar and Deputy Bursar, respectively.”
On student welfare, Ige noted that the institution’s Students’ Support Centre has continued to provide targeted financial assistance to indigent, gifted, and physically challenged students.
He emphasised that AAUA subsidises 50 percent of tuition fees for all physically challenged students, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive education.
Prof. Ige, who described his final convocation as an emotional moment, said the successes recorded over the past five years were products of “collective will, divine grace, and an unwavering focus on excellence.”
He thanked the Visitor to the University, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as the Governing Council, Senate, staff, students and the host community for what he called “unwavering support and cooperation.”
“As I bow out in a few months’ time, I do so with profound gratitude. Together, we have weathered storms, celebrated victories, and remained steadfast to the vision of our founding fathers,” he said.
MAIN GATE REOPENING
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the institution would reopen its main gate once ongoing dualisation work along the Akungba–Owo road is completed.
Prof. Ige stressed that the decision remains tied to the safety of students and members of the university community.
He said the university was committed to ensuring that no action would compromise safety around the campus, especially considering past incidents linked to the road.
Professor Ige, who described the moment as a “powerful confluence of past, present, and future,” reflected on his five-year tenure, noting that this year’s Convocation would be his last as Vice Chancellor.
He disclosed that 5,799 graduands would be conferred with various degrees during the ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
He recalled assuming office on 7 July 2021 “with a blueprint and a prayer,” adding that the goal was not merely to sustain the university’s standing but to transform it into a globally referenced institution.
According to him, the journey has yielded remarkable gains in research, digital learning, staff development, internally generated revenue, academic integrity, and campus stability.
The VC said the achievements were made possible through the support of the Visitor to the University, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, students, alumni, and the host community.
He noted that the broad scope of this year’s briefing was deliberate, as it captured the university’s progress since he took office.
The Don also highlighted significant progress in academic advancement within the institution, announcing that 109 staff members had been promoted to the rank of Professor under his administration.
“Promotions across other cadres, both academic and non-academic, had also been regularised, including the elevation of 13 staff members to Deputy Registrar and five to Deputy Bursar.”
Speaking on student welfare, he said the Students’ Support Centre had become a vital hub for targeted financial assistance to indigent students, gifted individuals, and students with physical challenges.
The university, he added, offers a 50 per cent tuition subsidy to all physically challenged students as part of its inclusive policy.
Reflecting on his tenure, Professor Ige said the past five years had been an “extraordinary chapter” in his personal and professional journey, noting that the administration had “weathered storms, celebrated victories, and remained steadfast in upholding the noble vision of our founding fathers.”
He assured that the institution would continue to prioritise safety, development, and excellence even beyond his administration.
