The returning Vice-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Professor Omolola Irinoye, and the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, have lauded the immediate past Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, for his exemplary leadership during an eventful eight-month tenure, pledging to consolidate the gains recorded under his stewardship and sustain the university’s pursuit of academic excellence, innovation and global competitiveness.

They spoke at a cocktail reception organised to mark the completion of Aremu’s tenure as Acting Vice-Chancellor, where members of the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders paid glowing tribute to his stewardship from December 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026.

Resuming office after concluding official engagements at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Irinoye described Aremu as a man of integrity whose calm disposition, consultative leadership and unwavering commitment ensured administrative stability and institutional continuity during her absence.

“I have worked closely with Professor Oyesoji Aremu for many years. Throughout the period I was away, we remained in close contact, and I had absolute confidence in his ability to provide effective leadership,” she said.

Describing leadership as a call to service, Irinoye lauded Aremu’s humility, openness and collaborative approach to governance, noting that his stewardship reflected the values upon which the university was founded.

She restated the institution’s commitment to continuous improvement, saying Achievers University would continue to uphold the highest standards in teaching, research and administration while producing globally competitive graduates.

“No matter how good an institution is, it can always become better through continuous evaluation and improvement,” she said, adding that the university’s core values of Knowledge, Integrity and Leadership would remain the foundation of its growth.

The Pro-Chancellor, Professor Ayorinde, also applauded Aremu’s performance, describing his administration as transformational.

“He has taken the university to greater heights,” Ayorinde said, commending his humility, creativity, resilience and unwavering commitment to institutional advancement.

In his valedictory address titled “As This Chapter Ends,” Aremu reflected on the milestones recorded during his administration, highlighting the successful accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme with an approved admission quota of 120 students, full accreditation of seven additional academic programmes, the revival of the university’s inaugural lecture series after a three-year hiatus and the commencement of the institution’s registration process for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

He also listed achievements in governance, staff development, postgraduate quality assurance, distance education, environmental sustainability and strategic partnerships, including the strengthening of collaboration between Achievers University and the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

He disclosed that the Governing Council approved seven academic promotions, four to the rank of Associate Professor and three to Professor, during his tenure, describing the development as unprecedented in the university’s history.

Aremu also introduced a merit-based promotion system for non-academic staff, strengthened quality assurance mechanisms and launched the Green Care Initiative, under which more than 130 trees were planted across the campus to promote environmental sustainability.

Expressing gratitude to the Founder, Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students, Aremu attributed the achievements recorded during his stewardship to teamwork, dedication and divine grace.

“As this chapter ends, it does not fade into silence. It continues to resonate in the lives I may never fully know I touched, and in the tenacity that has now become a reference for service and stewardship,” he said.

Tributes poured in from senior academics and university officials, who unanimously described Aremu as a principled, visionary and transformational leader.

The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Chike Duru, described him as an inspirational and fair-minded administrator with exceptional listening skills, while former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Taiwo Adenegan, hailed him as a trailblazer, exemplary mentor and accomplished leader whose administration recorded remarkable successes.

The Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr. Olutosin Ilesanmi, lauded Aremu’s consultative leadership style, mentorship and openness to diverse opinions, saying he inspired confidence and fostered a peaceful working environment.

Also paying tribute, Professor Nureni Adewole of the University of Ibadan described him as a forthright leader who upheld high standards of excellence, while the University’s Bursar, Mrs. Oluwafunbi Ayodeji, commended his commitment to academic excellence, administrative efficiency, institutional stability, staff welfare and student development.

The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Dr. Kola Adegoke, described Aremu’s tenure as “a living case study in ethical governance, responsible management and servant leadership,” while the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Adetoyosi Daniels, credited him with strengthening academic programmes, expanding research opportunities and enhancing the university’s national profile.

As part of the activities marking the end of his tenure, the university inaugurated its Green Care Initiative through the planting of commemorative trees and held a Special Senate Session in his honour.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Cred 360 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award to Aremu by Cred 360 Media Ltd in recognition of his outstanding contributions to higher education.

A renowned counselling psychologist and security scholar at the University of Ibadan, Aremu assumed office as Acting Vice-Chancellor following the extended leave of the substantive Vice-Chancellor. With Professor Irinoye’s return, Aremu resumes his substantive role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university.