By Ibukun Emiola
Oyo (Oyo State), March 6, 2026 (NAN) The management of the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, has enjoined its fresh students for the 2025/2026 session to embrace discipline, integrity and academic excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, gave the charge during the university’s 21st matriculation ceremony for 864 freshly admitted students, held on it campus on Friday.
Oduwole congratulated the new students and their parents, describing admission into the university as a significant milestone and an opportunity to acquire both academic and spiritual training.
She said that the institution remained committed to delivering innovative intellectual training alongside practical spiritual education rooted in Anglican values.
“Our vision is built on two cardinal points; deep innovative intellectuality and practical spiritual education.
“We do not only train students academically; we also nurture their spiritual and moral development,” the V-C said.
Oduwole listed the university’s 13 faculties to include agriculture, basic medical sciences, communication and media studies, computing, and education.
Others are engineering, environmental studies, humanities, law, management sciences, natural sciences, nursing sciences and social sciences.
According to her, the university is also working toward establishing a College of Health Sciences and a Faculty of Pharmacy.
Oduwole said that the institution had recently been approved as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), enabling candidates to register for examinations on campus.
She added that students would also be required to obtain certification in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of efforts to equip them with contemporary digital skills.
Oduwole emphasised that the university maintained zero tolerance for drug abuse, bullying and other forms of misconduct.
She said that the management had also taken steps to improve students’ welfare, including water supply, electricity and hostel facilities.
Earlier, the guest lecturer, Prof. Bimbola Oludipe, an Education Evaluation expert, urged the matriculating students to take responsibility for their learning and uphold integrity throughout their academic journey.
Oludipe said that matriculation marked the formal entry of students into a community of scholarship, discipline and character.
“Admission is not the achievement; graduating with honour, character and purpose is,” she said.
Oludipe encouraged the students to manage their time effectively, build positive relationships and remain resilient in the face of challenges.
She also warned against examination malpractice, plagiarism, drug abuse and other activities capable of jeopardising their academic future.
According to her, education has remained a powerful tool for societal transformation, citing global figures such as Nelson Mandela, Chinua Achebe and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as examples of individuals whose achievements were shaped through education.
She advised the students to remain focused on their goals and prioritise moral values throughout their stay in the university.
The event also featured the administration of the matriculation oath to the new students, formally admitting them into the academic community.
