VC Eyes ‘First Quartile’ Status for ACU Journals, as Library Hosts Editors’ Workshop

The Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, has declared that her dream for all the journals in ACU is for them to become First Quartile journals.

Declaring the ambitious vision for the institution’s academic publications, Prof. Oduwole made the statement while addressing participants at the ACU Journal Editors’ Workshop, a two-day event organised by the T. Y. Danjuma Library of the University that began yesterday day, April 21, 2026.

While addressing journal editors and academic staff, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the urgent need to give the university’s journals an international outlook and advised that adding reputable academics to the editorial boards would be a crucial step in that direction.

“The state of a journal is one of those things that makes a department or faculty vibrant; it showcases the faculty,” Prof. Oduwole said. On the importance of publishing in the right outlets, she invoked the well-known academic mantra, “Publish or Perish!” with a stern caveat, “You are responsible for whatever you publish.”

The Vice-Chancellor warned scholars against the growing menace of predatory and cloned journals, urging them to exercise due diligence. She also emphasised the need to attend relevant conferences while avoiding scams when applying for such events.

Calling for a culture of ethical publishing, Prof. Oduwole concluded her address with a memorable charge of the need to build capacities. Saying, “We need to eat the balanced diet when it comes to our journals.”

Earlier in her address, the University Librarian, Dr. Bose Ajiboye, shared her vision of positioning ACU among the best universities nationally and internationally. She called for closer collaboration with academic staff and underscored the importance of maintaining a healthy journal ecosystem.

Dr. Ajiboye itemised the key areas of focus for ranking indices to include teaching, research, citation, international outlook, and industry relevance.

The first day of the workshop concluded with a paper presentation by Mr. Emmanuel Oyadeyi, titled “Reinvigorating and Sustaining Editorial Responsibilities of ACU Journals: A Workflow Model.”