NUC Assesses ACU’s Readiness for Five New Programmes, VC Reaffirms Standards-Driven Expansion

Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, on Monday, April 20, 2026, hosted the National Universities Commission (NUC) Resource Verification teams for the assessment of its readiness to commence five proposed academic programmes.

The exercise is part of the Commission’s regulatory process for approving new academic offerings in Nigerian universities and involved a detailed inspection of facilities, academic manpower, and institutional documentation.

The proposed programmes under review are Pharmacology, Physiology, Artificial Intelligence, Public Health, and Anatomy.

Receiving the delegation at the Council Chamber, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic quality, institutional discipline, and innovation-driven growth.

She emphasized ACU’s alignment with global academic trends, particularly in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, noting that the institution is positioning students for future relevance through foundational exposure to the discipline. She further disclosed that the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Olutoyin Okeowo, has directed that all students acquire basic knowledge of Artificial Intelligence to enhance their academic and professional readiness.

Representing the NUC teams, David Ejeh explained that the exercise was designed to comprehensively evaluate the university’s preparedness for programme take-off, including verification of infrastructure, staffing levels, and compliance with regulatory standards.

He commended the university for the warm reception and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to maintaining quality assurance across the Nigerian university system.

The verification exercise featured multidisciplinary panels drawn from academia and regulatory institutions. The Pharmacology panel included David Ejeh, Benedicta Adeboye, and Prof. Mohammed Garba Magaji. The Physiology panel comprised Prof. Ezekiel Iliya, Dr. J. A. Ajani, and Mr. Inemesit Ukpong.

The Artificial Intelligence panel included Prof. Joseph Osemwenkhae, Abdulsalam Abdullateef, and Emem Chinweokwu, while the Public Health panel had Prof. A. N. Amadi and Dr. Bridget Audu. The Anatomy panel included Prof. Dennis Ebeh of Delta State University and Edemodu Chianu of the NUC.

Also present at the engagement were senior university officials, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Olutoyin Binuyo; Registrar, Dr. Bode Olofinmuagun; Bursar, Dr. Ayodele Olusanwo; University Librarian, Dr. Bosede Ajiboye; Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Bolanle Ibojo; as well as deans and heads of relevant departments.

The visit concluded with continued assessment activities aimed at determining final approval status for the proposed programmes.