Achievers University, Owo, on Friday honoured its Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, at a ceremony marking the successful completion of his eight-month tenure, with the institution’s leadership commending his contributions to academic excellence, institutional stability and strategic reforms.
The event, held under the theme “Celebrating Distinguished Service & Exemplary Leadership,” brought together members of the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, students, alumni and guests, who paid tribute to Professor Aremu’s stewardship from December 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Bode Ayorinde, described Aremu’s performance as outstanding, praising his humility, creativity and commitment to institutional advancement.
“He has taken the University to greater heights,” Ayorinde said, noting that the Acting Vice-Chancellor demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout his tenure.
The returning and substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, also commended Aremu’s exceptional performance, describing his stewardship as impactful and worthy of recognition.
The University’s Registrar, Mr. Adebayo Olagunju, praised Aremu’s inclusive leadership style, describing him as a leader who listened to diverse opinions and upheld integrity in decision-making.
Similarly, academics and colleagues who delivered goodwill messages and tributes highlighted his accessibility, fairness, mentorship and commitment to excellence. They described him as a transformational leader whose calm disposition, integrity and consultative approach strengthened the University’s governance and academic environment.
In his valedictory remarks titled “As This Chapter Ends,” Professor Aremu reflected on the opportunities and challenges of leading the University during a critical period in its history.
He noted that despite inheriting office shortly before the University’s 15th Convocation Ceremony and navigating institutional challenges, including the management of a fraud case discovered during his tenure, the University maintained academic and administrative stability and successfully concluded the 2025/2026 academic session.
Professor Aremu highlighted several milestones recorded during his administration, including the successful accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme with an approved admission quota of 120 students, full accreditation of seven additional academic programmes, revitalisation of the University’s inaugural lecture series, strengthening of postgraduate quality assurance, advancement of distance education initiatives and the commencement of the University’s registration process for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
He also cited improvements in governance, staff development, infrastructure, environmental sustainability and strategic partnerships, including the implementation of a collaboration framework between Achievers University and the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Among other initiatives, the University launched the Achievers University Green Care Initiative, under which more than 130 tree seedlings were planted across the campus to promote environmental sustainability.
Expressing appreciation to the University’s Founder, Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff and students, Professor Aremu attributed the achievements recorded during his tenure to their collective support and commitment.
“As this chapter ends, it does not fade into silence,” he said. “It continues to resonate in the lives I may never fully know I touched, and in the tenacity that has now become a reference for service and stewardship.”
Goodwill messages from senior academics and University officials painted a picture of Professor Aremu as a principled, approachable and transformational leader. The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, described him as an inspirational and fair-minded administrator with exceptional listening skills, while former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Taiwo Adenegan, hailed him as a trailblazer, exemplary mentor and accomplished leader whose administration recorded remarkable successes.
The Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr. Olutosin Ilesanmi, commended Aremu’s mentorship, consultative leadership style and openness to diverse opinions, describing him as a leader who inspired confidence and fostered a peaceful working environment. Professor Nureni Adewole of the University of Ibadan described him as a forthright leader who set high standards of excellence, while the University’s Bursar, Mrs. Oluwafunbi Ayodeji, praised his unwavering commitment to academic excellence, administrative efficiency, institutional stability, staff welfare and student development.
Also paying tribute, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Dr. Kola Adegoke, described Aremu’s tenure as “a living case study in ethical governance, responsible management and servant leadership,” noting that his consultative approach, respect for due process and results-oriented leadership had strengthened the institution. In the same vein, the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Adetoyosi Daniels, credited Aremu with providing visionary leadership that strengthened academic programmes, expanded research opportunities and enhanced the University’s national profile through notable academic achievements and institutional recognition.
As part of the ceremony, the University inaugurated the Green Care Initiative through the planting of commemorative trees, held a Special Senate Session in his honour and later conferred on Professor Aremu the CRED 360 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding service.
Professor Aremu, a renowned Counselling Psychologist and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), assumed office as Acting Vice-Chancellor following the extended leave of the substantive Vice-Chancellor. During his tenure, the University sustained academic activities, implemented key institutional reforms and consolidated its commitment to quality assurance, research, staff development and academic excellence.
The University is expected to continue its academic programmes under the leadership of the returning Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, whose Birthday Thanksgiving Celebration forms the second event in the institution’s leadership celebration programme.