ACU Student Gains Global Recognition After Landmark Presentation at FIG 2026 Congress in South Africa

A 500-level student of the Department of Surveying and Geo-informatics at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Oluwapelumi Aikomo, has received widespread commendation following her participation at the Federation of International Surveyors (FIG) 2026 Congress held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Aikomo represented the university on the global stage after being selected under the FIG2026 Student Support Funding programme, an initiative backed by the National Research Foundation to support outstanding students from developing countries facing financial barriers to international academic exposure. She was among ten beneficiaries drawn from countries including Nepal, South Africa, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Sri Lanka.

At the congress, she presented a research paper on gravity prediction using Artificial Neural Networks, a work that drew strong interest from international experts in geodesy and geospatial science. Participants at the event reportedly described her presentation as exceptional, highlighting its technical depth and relevance to emerging trends in surveying technology.

Her performance has since attracted recognition from professional bodies and academic stakeholders. The Business of Surveying (TBS) Workgroup described her as “a young and promising mind in the geospatial profession,” noting that she is already contributing meaningfully to global academic conversations in her field.

The group further stated that her achievement reflects the future direction of surveying practice in Nigeria, adding that her early international exposure positions her as part of a new generation of innovators in geospatial science.

Following the development, the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Ebunoluwa Oduwole, expressed appreciation for her accomplishment, describing it as a moment of pride for the institution.

The recognition is being viewed as a significant milestone for both the student and the university, reinforcing ACU’s growing visibility in research and geospatial education on the international stage.

Stakeholders say her achievement underscores a broader shift, where Nigerian students are increasingly gaining relevance in global scientific and technological discussions, particularly in fields driven by innovation and data science.