VC Visits Osoogun, Kieseni, Aawe Place, Relocates Agric Faculty
Today, October 29, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs) Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole, FNAL, paid a working visit to the Osoogun Campus of Ajayi Crowther University.
She was accompanied by the Acting Registrar, Ven. Olusegun Ojo; Director of Works, Engr. Ade Oluniyi; University PRO, Mr. Olufemi Atoyebi; Principal Assistant Registrar (VC’s Office), Mr. Abayomi Oduntan; VC’s Personal Assistant, Miss Refreshing Ayomide Adeaga; media crew from Crowther FM, Mrs. Christy Ogundokun and Deborah; and Mr. Akinola from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
On her way to Osoogun, the Vice-Chancellor paid a courtesy call on the Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Iseyin, Rt. Rev. Collins Babalola, and his wife, Prof. (Mrs) Chinedu Peace Babalola. She shared her vision for the Osoogun Campus, including plans to establish an Ajayi Crowther University Research Centre Annexe to enhance research, academic, and tourism activities in the town.
In his response, Bishop Babalola expressed delight at Prof. Oduwole’s appointment and commended her vision for Osoogun. He noted, however, that the town faces challenges such as poor road networks, unstable electricity, and insecurity, and urged greater government attention. He added that the town is being maginalised the more because there is no representation in acommittee established in Iseyin Council area to attract development to towns in the council. The Bishop assured the Diocese’s readiness to support the Vice-Chancellor’s vision, aligning it with that of former VC, Prof. Dapo Asaju, to bring progress to Osoogun.
Prof. Oduwole disclosed that part of her plan for the campus includes the installation of solar power and collaboration with SACOBA to actualise it and other plans. Bishop Babalola then offered prayers for her success as Vice-Chancellor.
The VC’s team next visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, Oke-Igbagbo, Iseyin, where they were warmly received by Ven. Kehinde Aremu, his wife, Prof. Ayotola Aremu, Rev. Ayo Idowu, and Rev. Theophilus Adedeji. After a prayer session, Prof. Oduwole reflected on her long-standing connection with the cathedral and the Aremu family, describing the reunion as divinely orchestrated.
At Osoogun, the delegation was received by Prof. Joseph Ojenike, Chairman of Osoogun Descendants Union; Ven. John Kolawole Adeleke and his wife, Mrs. Kehinde Adeleke, who oversees the ACU-built clinic; and other community members. The Vice-Chancellor inspected facilities at the ACU Osoogun Campus, assessing the state of infrastructure and identifying areas requiring improvement to make the campus more conducive for learning.
She pledged that the University would assist in the roofing of a building under renovation within the church premises and promised to introduce telemedicine to improve healthcare access in Osoogun.
At the Olosoogun Palace, the VC and her team were received with traditional drumming, singing, and warm greetings from the Baale, Chief Adeniji Olalere, his wives, and the chiefs. Prof. Oduwole reiterated that Osoogun remains dear to ACU, revealing plans for a collaboration with a group of people Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, to bring development at the Osoogun Campus of the ACU.
She restated her commitment to install solar energy, establish a Department of Nursing, and convert an existing facility into a student hostel. She, however, urged the Baale and residents to ensure adequate security for these initiatives to thrive.
To support women in the community, the VC announced a personal financial donation to empower them in their trades and pledged that the first baby born at the ACU Clinic in January 2026 would be specially sponsored by the University.
Before concluding the visit, Prof. Oduwole visited the historic baobab tree where Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther was once tied by kidnappers and his ancestral home, where he was abducted as a child. She promised to renovate both sites to attract tourism.
VISIT TO AAWE PALACE
After completing the Osoogun visit, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Moses Adebayo, joined the VC’s entourage at Aawe Junction. They proceeded to the Palace of the Alawe of Aawe, Oba Cornelius Taiwo Abiola. Although the monarch was absent, his chiefs received the delegation warmly.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Prince Nicolas Olawoye appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to revisit the vision behind the large expanse of land donated to ACU at Kieseni during Prof. Dapo Asaju’s tenure by establishing the Faculty of Agriculture there.
Prof. Oduwole approved the request, directing the Dean of Agriculture to move his faculty from Ofa Meta to Kieseni on November 3, 2025, promising institutional support for the relocation. She also charged the community to ensure security at the site and announced that ACU would sponsor five Aawe students annually to study Agriculture.
The Vice-Chancellor later inspected the Kieseni Campus to assess existing infrastructure ahead of the relocation, affirming that she would resume on the campus with the faculty staff on November 3 alongside Prof. Adebayo.
