Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, has recorded a huge progress within the first 100 days of Professor Ebunoluwa Oduwole’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor, with a range of reforms and developmental initiatives across the institution.
Professor Oduwole assumed office on October 1, 2025, becoming the first female vice-chancellor of ACU. She succeeded Professor Timothy Abiodun Adebayo as the fifth vice-chancellor, bringing with her over four decades of experience in university administration, alongside years of episcopal service.
Following her appointment by the ACU Governing Council, expectations were high due to her extensive academic and administrative background.
A review of her first 100 days, however, indicates that those expectations have not only been met but exceeded, with notable achievements recorded across academics, infrastructure, staff welfare, and institutional visibility.
On assumption of duty, Professor Oduwole unveiled a 30-point agenda outlining key deliverables for her five-year tenure. According to the vice-chancellor, more than 70 per cent of the agenda has already been addressed within her first 100 days in office.
Speaking recently, she disclosed that all items on the agenda have been fully activated, adding that ACU is now in the detailed execution phase of the outlined initiatives.
Her administration has focused on decongesting the St. Andrew’s Campus, while maximising the use of other campuses, including Offa Meta, Kieseni, and Osoogun.
As part of this effort, the Faculty of Agriculture has been relocated to the Kieseni Campus, while developmental visits and planning have commenced at the Osoogun Campus.
Key achievements recorded during the period include proposals for the establishment of a university microfinance bank and the introduction of new academic programmes such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and other health-related courses.
The university has also upgraded its bakery, laundry, and water factory to improve its internally generated revenue (IGR).
In the area of partnerships, ACU has strengthened collaborations with institutions such as the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), particularly in agricultural development.
The university also partnered with MTN to improve campus-wide internet connectivity.
Other milestones include the creation and inauguration of 10 strategic committees, the establishment of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre, and increased global visibility for the university through academic and engineering showcases during convocation ceremonies.
Staff welfare and development have also received attention, with improved attendance at staff fellowship, community service, and Sunday programmes, provision of furniture to faculties and departmental offices, increased awareness of research grants, and the approval of a ₦30 million research grant.
Environmental and infrastructural improvements recorded include campus beautification, redesign of traffic movement, establishment of ACU Nano Paint, enhancement of the campus entrance, redesign of the university health centre, and the promotion of an eco-friendly campus initiative. Town-and-gown relations have also been strengthened under the new administration.
Observers within the university community describe Professor Oduwole’s first 100 days as a period of rapid transformation, setting the tone for what many expect to be a dynamic and impactful tenure.
