AFUED to Graduate 18,825 Students at First University Convocation

Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo, will award degrees, certificates, and diplomas to 18,825 students on Friday, May 23. This will be the institution’s first graduation ceremony since gaining university status. The students graduating span six academic sessions, from 2017 to 2023.

First Convocation as a Full-Fledged University

At a press briefing on Monday, May 19, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Samuel Akintunde said the convocation is more than a ceremony. It’s a turning point. For the first time, the school hosts the event as a recognised university, not just a college.

“This marks real progress,” Prof. Akintunde said. “We’re celebrating our students’ success, and showing how far we’ve come.”

Events Packed into a Busy Week

Convocation week will run from May 19 to May 23. It includes:

• Faculty debates
• Alumni football matches
• A reunion night, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday at the University Quadrangle
• Alumni convention, holding the same day at 10 a.m. in the Alumni Hall

It’s a week of bonding and celebration, not just gowns and speeches.

Convocation Lecture and Honours

On Thursday, May 22, Professor Toyin Falola of the University of Texas, Austin, will deliver the convocation lecture titled “The Advent of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Nigeria Tertiary Education”. A stage play will follow later that evening at 4 p.m.

At the main ceremony, three Nigerians will receive Honorary Doctorate Degrees:

• Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady
• Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom
• Prof. Toyin Falola, guest lecturer

School Projects and Progress

Prof. Akintunde used the occasion to outline what has been achieved under his watch since 2018. He mentioned:

• Renovated hostels, including Oduduwa, Olunloyo, Tinubu, and Wande Abimbola
• New buildings, such as a Library, Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Education, and CBT centre
• Upgrades to roads, solar lighting, and office blocks
• Improvements in ICT use and campus security
• Better support for both students and staff

While some of the projects sound like basic upgrades, they matter. These are the nuts and bolts of a working school, after all.

Looking Ahead with Hope

Prof. Akintunde says the university is aiming higher and planning for a future rooted in teacher education and research. “We’re not stopping now. The foundation is strong, and we’ll keep building,” he said.

He thanked the Federal Government for turning the former college into a university and acknowledged the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), which is expected to release ₦68.3 million for 995 students who applied.

A Long List of Gratitude

He also showed appreciation to:

• Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa
• Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad
• NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu
• Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo
• Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

Ceremony Well Attended

The press event took place at the new Centre for Education Technology. In attendance were top university staff, alumni leaders, media representatives, and students. Everyone came together, not just to look back, but to step forward.

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