On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, marked a historic milestone with the formal inauguration of Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole as its fifth Vice Chancellor and the first woman to hold the top leadership role.
In a statement released by the university spokesperson, Femi Atoyebi, the ceremony was described as a significant occasion that attracted numerous dignitaries, including religious leaders, academics, the University Visitor, the Most Reverend Dr. Joseph Akinfenwa, and the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Olutoyin Okeowo.
During her inaugural address, Professor Oduwole presented her administration’s ambitious 10-point vision plan designed to spearhead the institution’s development.
Her central objective is to elevate ACU into a global brand by emphasizing key values such as teamwork, dedication, integrity, accountability, resilience, professional conduct, due process, and adherence to international best practices.
Oduwole, has outlined a comprehensive agenda for acu that emphasizes academic renewal and expansion, including the launch of a faculty of clinical medicine and pharmacyand a distance learning programme.
This is complemented by a focus on research and innovation, which will see the creation of a research management and innovation office. A cornerstone of her tenure will be stakeholder relations and governance, promising a cordial relationship with all parties and strong governance.
Furthermore, she will prioritize welfare and discipline through a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and cultism, while strictly maintaining acu’s christian ethos by integrating faith-based values with academics.
to ensure long-term stability, there’s a commitment to financial diversification by developing new revenue streams to lessen dependence on tuition fees.
Finally, infrastructural development will be carried out across all four campuses (Oyo, Kieseni, Osoogun, and Ofa Metta), and community relations will be strengthened to better link the university with its host communities and the wider society.
Professor Oduwole concluded by assuring that through unity and dedication, ACU will successfully meet its immediate goals and emerge as a world-class, faith-based institution that seamlessly integrates integrity with excellence.
Ajayi Crowther University, founded in 2005 by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), is named after the first African Anglican bishop, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, and is recognized as one of Nigeria’s leading faith-based universities. Professor Oduwole, an accomplished administrator and scholar, succeeds Professor Timothy Adebayo, whose five-year tenure concluded in 2025.
