Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), on Saturday produced 5,799 graduates, with 32 students graduating with First Class Honours, at its 14th Convocation Ceremony, as Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the institution’s funding challenges.
The governor, who is the Visitor to the university, lauded AAUA for its significant contributions to intellectual growth and human capital development in Ondo State and beyond, describing the institution as a critical pillar of educational advancement.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Ayedatiwa congratulated the graduands and urged them to uphold excellence and project the image of the university and the state positively wherever they find themselves. He also commended the management for navigating the institution through difficult periods, assuring that government would look into its funding concerns.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, reiterated the council’s resolve to sustain AAUA’s standing within the global academic community. He noted that with adequate funding, the university could emerge as Nigeria’s leading centre of knowledge and research and compete favourably on the global stage, proposing an annual subvention of ₦12 billion to actualise this vision.
Dr. Abayomi said the council remained committed to building a globally competitive institution through effective oversight and close collaboration with the Senate, aimed at driving innovation, growth and holistic development.
Presenting his valedictory convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, said the university had recorded remarkable progress under his five-year administration, consolidating its status as a foremost centre of learning and research.
He disclosed that the graduating set comprised 5,251 undergraduates, 526 postgraduates and 22 diploma students, with 32 earning First Class Honours. Prof. Ige also announced automatic employment for the First Class graduates after the completion of their National Youth Service.
Urging the graduands to embody the values of the institution, he said the university had made notable strides in research, academic expansion, staff and student welfare, sports development and global partnerships.
Prof. Ige attributed these gains to reforms aimed at strengthening academic integrity, including the full accreditation of all programmes and the expansion of faculties from seven to ten, with the creation of new faculties and departments.
He further highlighted AAUA’s growing research profile, noting that nine scholars from the institution were listed in the 2024 Elsevier-Stanford Global Ranking, a development he said underscored the university’s rising influence in cutting-edge research.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor said that despite financial constraints, key projects had been completed and renovated across the campus, while efforts were ongoing to enhance student welfare, sports development and leadership training.
Reflecting on his tenure, Prof. Ige expressed gratitude to the Visitor, staff, students and unions for their support and cooperation, stating that he would be leaving office with a sense of fulfilment and confidence in the university’s future.
The Overall Best Graduating Student, Folake Racheal Omonitan, from the Department of Biochemistry, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.79, attributed her success to focus and dedication. She urged her fellow graduates to approach the future with confidence and an unshakeable belief in their ability to achieve their dreams.
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