- says “I Leave AAUA Better Than I Met It”
The outgoing Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Dr Tunji Abayomi, has declared that he is leaving the institution better than he met it, following eight years of service at the helm of the university’s governing council.
Abayomi, whose two-term tenure expires today, August 15, 2026, made the declaration on Tuesday, August 11, during a valedictory media briefing to mark the completion of his eight-year tenure.
He expressed satisfaction with the Council’s contributions to the growth and development of the university, citing achievements in academic expansion, accreditation, research, staff welfare, infrastructure, student support and international partnerships.
Reflecting on his tenure, Abayomi noted that three Vice-Chancellors — Professors Igbekele Ajibefun, Olugbenga Ige and the incumbent, Tomola Obamuyi — served during his tenure.
He said he maintained a cordial and productive relationship with the three Vice-Chancellors in the interest of the university, adding that he supervised the interview and recommendation processes that led to the appointments of Professors Ige and Obamuyi.
According to him, one of the major achievements of the Council was the maintenance of a relatively stable academic calendar, alongside an aggressive academic modernisation programme.
He listed the new faculties established during the period to include Administration and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Environmental Design and Management, and Computing.
He said the university also created several departments in emerging and specialised fields, including Architecture, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Urban and Regional Planning, Estate Management, Library and Information Science, Food Science and Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, Nursing Science, Information and Communication Technology, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Information Systems.
Abayomi said the expansion had strengthened AAUA’s academic profile and provided students with wider opportunities to pursue contemporary fields of study.
The outgoing Pro-Chancellor also described the university’s accreditation record as a major milestone, stating that AAUA achieved 100 per cent accreditation status for its academic programmes from the National Universities Commission over the last five years.
He added that the resource verification exercise conducted by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria for the university’s Architecture programme in February 2026 produced an excellent outcome.
On research and innovation, Abayomi said nine members of the university’s academic staff were recently ranked among the top two per cent of researchers worldwide in the 2024 Elsevier–Stanford Global Ranking of Top Scientists.
He also highlighted the recognition of the Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Professor Sunday Olatunji, as the Best Researcher in Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria.
He disclosed that more than 50 inaugural lectures were delivered during his tenure, describing the series as an important part of the university’s academic and intellectual culture.
On staff development, he said the Council sustained training and professional development programmes despite funding challenges, with staff benefiting from local and international conferences, workshops and seminars.
Abayomi further highlighted the university’s international partnerships, including collaborations with institutions in Malaysia and Europe, particularly Ghent University in Belgium, covering areas such as staff and student exchanges, research and infrastructural support.
At the domestic level, he said AAUA established collaborations with the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission Training School, Itaogbolu, and the Public Service Training Institute, Ilara-Mokin.
He added that the university also established formal affiliations with reputable Colleges of Education across Nigeria to expand access to quality and affordable university education.
On student welfare, Abayomi said the Council made significant efforts to improve accommodation and support systems.
He disclosed that additional halls of residence had been developed through voluntary contributions, donations and institutional support from Council members, staff, students and other stakeholders.
According to him, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and philanthropist, Chief Joseph Sanusi, had volunteered to construct a hall of residence for the university, with construction already commenced.
He said the Council also pursued the completion of the OSOPADEC and NDDC halls of residence, which had remained under construction for several years.
He added that students benefited from scholarships and the university’s Work-Study Scheme, under which participating students undertake two hours of paid work daily on campus.
On infrastructure, Abayomi listed the completion of two wings of the Faculty of Social Sciences building, construction of a new Faculty of Science building, provision of offices for the Faculty of Agriculture, establishment of an Agricultural Farm House and Greenhouse, construction of sanitation facilities and commissioning of an Agro Shop.
He said the university also invested in classroom furniture, office equipment and computer systems for computer-based tests, while the Moot Court of the Faculty of Law was renovated and the University Business School in Akure remodelled.
The outgoing Council Chairman also highlighted achievements in staff career progression, disclosing that about 83 academic staff were promoted to the rank of Reader, while approximately 78 attained professorial positions.
He added that 13 Deputy Registrars and five Deputy Bursars were appointed in the non-teaching cadre.
According to him, the Council also created opportunities for non-teaching staff who had acquired additional qualifications to convert to relevant cadres after spending considerable periods without promotion opportunities.
Abayomi said the Council implemented the 2019 National Minimum Wage, the Federal Government’s 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments, as well as the 2024 National Minimum Wage, including payment of outstanding arrears.
He added that the university had commenced the process of implementing the recent Federal Government/ASUU agreement in line with due process.
As he concluded his eight-year stewardship, Abayomi said he was leaving office with his head held high, expressing appreciation to members of the Governing Council for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
He maintained that the various developments recorded under his watch had positioned Adekunle Ajasin University for greater growth and consolidation in the years ahead.
