86 bags first class, 77 earn PhDs as ACU holds 16th convocation

The Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo Town, Professor Timothy Adebayo, on Monday, said the institution will confer degrees on 2,679 students during its 16th convocation ceremony, with 86 graduates earning First-Class honours.

Adebayo, who spoke at a press conference heralding the convocation, disclosed that 1,230 students will graduate with Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 560 with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), and 61 with Third Class degrees.

In the postgraduate category, 743 graduands will be conferred with degrees, including 77 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 82 postgraduate diplomas, and 660 Master’s degrees in various disciplines.

The VC said this year’s figures represent significant growth compared to the previous convocation, which saw 974 undergraduates and 594 postgraduates receiving honours.

The convocation ceremonies will celebrate the university’s academic achievements and the strides made in nurturing excellence among its students.

Adebayo said two eminent personalities, including Reverend Bola Adams and Mrs. Modupe Alakija, will be receiving the University’s honorary doctorate degrees.

According to Adebayo, the programmes of events include a convocation exhibition, Alumni Lecture, and Reunion, which will be held later on Monday, while the 16th Convocation Lecture will follow on Tuesday, with Prof. Tola Badejo educating and enlightening the audience with his erudite presentation.

He said that on Wednesday, November 27th, there will be a commissioning of projects on the main campus as well as the Award of Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Crowther Hall.

He noted that the grand finale of the ceremonies is on Thursday, 28th November 2024, with the Award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees and Honorary Doctorate Degrees at The Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Law Auditorium.

Explaining the numerous feats of the University in the last year, the VC said the institution has signed many pacts with various bodies and institutions, which have aided academic development, stability, accreditation, and expansion of frontiers.

He, however, noted that to meet the increasing demand for quality education, the University urgently requires more funds to enhance the infrastructure on its campuses in Offa Meta, Kieseni, and Osoogun.

“There is a need for the construction of new faculty buildings, especially for our Faculties of Communication and Media Studies, Engineering, Environmental Studies, and the College of Health Sciences.

“Endowment of professorial chairs will further strengthen our academic leadership and provide support for our continued growth,” the VC said.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor has lamented that funding is the major obstacle facing education in Nigeria, especially university administration.

The Vice Chancellor said the challenge was not limited to private universities alone, with state and federal universities increasing tuition fees to enable them to fulfil their financial responsibilities.

The professor said: “Inability to access adequate funding means that many tertiary institutions are struggling to provide necessary laboratory equipment and other infrastructures needed for educational development in Nigeria.

“You can point to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and I agree that it has helped education to an extent, but the politics behind its disbursement has not helped to make the fund have an appreciable impact on education.

“You experience private universities increasing tuition and even public tertiary institutions increasing their fees despite TETFUND intervention just to balance their books; this points to how much those institutions are struggling with funding.”

In a related development, Adebayo disclosed that the institution has installed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in all nooks and crannies of the institution to strengthen security within the campus.

The VC assured parents and students of adequate security in the school. The VC said: “Our security system is top-notch. We have installed CCTV cameras in all nooks and crannies of the school.”