AFUED Alumni Association Pledges Support for University’s Development Initiatives

The Ondo City Branch (OCB) of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo Alumni Association has expressed its willingness to partner with the university’s management to advance the institution’s development initiatives.

The Chairman of the OCB AFUED Alumni Association, Pastor Adeyinka Adekunle Frank, made the pledge during an interactive meeting between members of the association and the university’s top management on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at St. Joseph’s College Hall in Ondo City, Ondo State.

Expressing appreciation to the university’s management for attending the meeting, Pastor Adeyinka Adekunle said the engagement would provide an opportunity for members to meet, interact, exchange ideas and discuss issues of mutual interest concerning the growth, development and future of the institution.

He described AFUED as a reputable institution where alumni acquired academic qualifications and developed their character and intellectual capabilities.

He added that, as proud alumni, members recognised the university’s significant contributions to teacher education, national development and the advancement of knowledge in Nigeria.

The alumni chairman highlighted several areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration between the association and the university management. These include alumni engagement and participation in institutional development, infrastructure development, promotion of academic excellence and research, student welfare, scholarship provision, enhancement of the university’s reputation and improvement of its global visibility.

Pastor Adekunle, who is the incumbent Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Ondo, also emphasised the need to strengthen the university’s alumni association.

“Together we can achieve more, preserve the legacy of our alma mater, while creating new opportunities for future generations,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of AFUED, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, commended members of the university’s alumni body for their contributions to the institution’s growth and development.

Describing the interactive meeting as a significant moment in the university’s history, Prof. Popoola explained that the management’s decision to seek support from alumni was driven by the enormous resources required to advance the institution, which could not be provided solely by the government and the university’s management.

“We cannot depend completely on the government. The owners of the institution must come together to see what differences they can bring to the development of the institution,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor added that the university intended to leverage the connections alumni members had across the country and within Ondo City to support its development.

“We want to leverage on the connections that our Alumni members have all over the country and within Ondo town and use it for the development of the University,” he stated.

He stressed that collaboration with the alumni association was essential to achieving the institution’s development goals.

“There are so many things that we can do together. One thing is clear: we cannot make progress on our own. We need the support of our Alumni Association to be able to move the University to the level everyone of us wants it to get to,” he added.

Outlining potential areas of collaboration, Prof. Popoola proposed the establishment of an endowment fund, a scholarship programme and a professorial chair endowment. He also called for support towards the development of laboratories, lecture theatres, libraries and other facilities within the university.

The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed his commitment to the institution’s development and appealed to alumni members to work with the university’s management to take AFUED to greater heights.

“AFUED is blessed with distinguished Alumni members; therefore, we are looking forward to you for support in terms of infrastructural development as well as the development of academic programmes in the University,” he said.

He further noted that alumni members had a responsibility to give back to the institution that contributed to their academic and professional development.

“We are interested in the future of the institution that has made all of us, so, it is time for us to give back to this institution. I, therefore, want to invite the Alumni Association to join hands with the University as strategic partners in this regard. Let us work together to build an institution that we can call our own,” he stated.

Prof. Popoola observed that the institution had been recognised as one of the best when it operated as a college of education, adding that its transition to university status required renewed commitment and collective support to maintain and improve its standing.

He expressed confidence that collaboration between the university management and the alumni association would help position AFUED among the leading universities in Nigeria and across Africa.

“I have no doubt in my mind that if we work together, we can achieve this vision of making AFUED not only one of the best in Nigeria but in the African continent,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the university’s future was a shared responsibility and called on all stakeholders to participate actively in its development.

“AFUED belongs to all of us; therefore, the future of the University is a shared responsibility. All of us must participate actively in its development,” he remarked.

In his presentation, the Acting Director of the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, AFUED, Dr. Omotayo Kolawole Charles, commended members of the Ondo City Branch of the alumni association for their willingness to contribute to the university’s development.

Dr. Omotayo also appreciated the university’s management for its efforts to advance the institution’s progress. He expressed optimism that the collaboration between the university and the alumni association would bring positive developments.

The interactive meeting, themed “Strengthen University Alumni-Community Partnership for Institution’s Development,” was held at St. Joseph’s College Hall, Ondo.

The event was attended by principal officers of AFUED, renowned educationists, principals of several secondary schools and members of the Ondo City Branch of the university’s alumni association.

Among the university officials in attendance were the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ireti Folasade Alao; Bursar, Mrs. Taiwo Adedoyin, represented by Mr. Taye Omotayo; Librarian, Dr. Azino Akpokuriere; and Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Olatuyi Oluseto.

The meeting concluded with the constitution of the Ondo City Alumni Association Advancement Committee.

The committee members are:

1. Chief Fola Fadojutimi – Chairman.
2. Deacon Fadojutimi Mose Ajayi – Member.
3. Mr. Adebayo Ebenezer – Member.
4. Mr. Femi Oyelowo – Member.
5. Princess Adunni Akinrinmade – Member.
6. Mrs. Lawalson Naomi – Member.
7. Mr. Lekan Adumati – Secretary.