Immediate Acting Vice-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, has said the institution recorded some of its most significant academic milestones during his eight-month stewardship, citing landmark promotions, the revival of inaugural lectures and the approval of an expanded admission quota for its MBBS programme.

Aremu, who reflected on his tenure in an interview, attributed the achievements to teamwork, institutional commitment and God’s grace, noting that despite confronting an admission fraud crisis, the university remained focused on its academic mandate.

Looking back on his tenure, the professor of counseling psychology and criminal justice described the experience as fulfilling, adding that the university recorded remarkable progress in staff development.

He disclosed that the University Council recently approved the promotion of seven academic staff members, including four to the rank of Associate Professor and three to Professor, describing it as a record achievement for the institution.

“In April, we promoted two academic staff members, and at the most recent Council meeting, approval was granted for seven major promotions. I was informed that this represents a record in the history of the university,” he said.

The professor also said seven additional promotion cases are currently being processed, alongside promotions across other academic and non-academic cadres.

He explained that his administration introduced a merit-based promotion system for non-teaching staff, requiring candidates to sit for competency assessments in addition to the conventional appraisal process.

According to him, only officers who scored at least 50 per cent in the assessment qualified for promotion, a move aimed at strengthening professionalism and accountability.

Aremu also highlighted the revival of inaugural lectures at the university, noting that the institution hosted three inaugural lectures within eight months after the last one had been held in 2022.

He described the development as a reflection of the university’s renewed commitment to scholarship, research and academic excellence.

The educationist identified the approval of a 120-student admission quota for the university’s Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as the high point of his stewardship.

He noted that the quota surpassed those granted to many older universities, describing it as a landmark achievement for Achievers University.

Aremu expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve, saying the achievements recorded during his tenure were made possible through the collective efforts of the University Council, management, staff and other stakeholders.