The Abiola Ajimobi Technical University (AA-TECH), situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, is set to graduate 310 students, a remarkable 69 of whom achieved first-class honors. This impressive feat was announced by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adesola Ajayi, during a pre-convocation press conference. The graduating students, spanning the faculties of Natural and Applied Sciences and Engineering, represent the combined graduating classes of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. In addition to their bachelor’s degrees, each graduate will receive two supplementary qualifications: a Diploma in French and a Certificate in Vocational Studies, underscoring the university’s commitment to equipping graduates with practical skills and global competencies. This multi-pronged approach aims to transform graduates into job creators rather than job seekers, addressing the prevailing employment challenges in the current economic landscape.
Breaking down the academic achievements, Professor Ajayi revealed a detailed distribution of honors across the two faculties. In the 2022/2023 session, the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences recorded 15 first-class degrees, 32 second-class upper division degrees, 12 second-class lower division degrees, and 4 third-class degrees. The Faculty of Engineering, for the same session, had 17 first-class degrees, 43 second-class upper division degrees, 16 second-class lower division degrees, and 2 third-class degrees. The subsequent 2023/2024 session saw similar success, with the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences producing 13 first-class degrees, 30 second-class upper division degrees, 23 second-class lower division degrees, and 2 third-class degrees. The Faculty of Engineering, in the same session, recorded 24 first-class degrees, 46 second-class upper division degrees, 20 second-class lower division degrees, and 9 third-class degrees.
Aggregating the results across the two academic years, the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences produced a total of 28 first-class degrees, 62 second-class upper division degrees, 35 second-class lower division degrees, and 6 third-class degrees. The Faculty of Engineering boasted even more impressive numbers, with 41 first-class degrees, 89 second-class upper division degrees, 36 second-class lower division degrees, and 11 third-class degrees. This consistent output of high-achieving graduates speaks volumes about the quality of education provided at AA-TECH and the caliber of students it attracts. The university’s emphasis on academic rigor, coupled with its forward-thinking approach to vocational training, positions its graduates for success in a competitive job market.
Professor Ajayi emphasized the strategic importance of vocational training in the current educational landscape. He highlighted the nationwide adoption of vocational programs in Nigerian institutions, underscoring the need for graduates to possess practical skills alongside their academic knowledge. The Vice-Chancellor further explained that the university’s vocational training not only equips graduates with hands-on skills but also cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset. This includes training in opportunity identification, utilization, and leveraging these skills to leave a lasting impact. This holistic approach to education ensures that graduates are not merely skilled laborers but also possess the acumen to create their own opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.
Furthermore, AA-TECH’s commitment to comprehensive graduate development is not limited to vocational training. The inclusion of a Diploma in French Language demonstrates the university’s recognition of the importance of global communication and the growing demand for multilingual professionals. This additional qualification enhances the marketability of graduates, opening doors to international opportunities and fostering cross-cultural competence. By providing this diverse skillset, AA-TECH prepares its graduates to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the institution’s Visitor, Governor Seyi Makinde, for his unwavering support in driving the university’s infrastructural development. Professor Ajayi acknowledged the Governor’s approval of various initiatives and the substantial investment of over N1.4 billion in infrastructural upgrades in the previous year. This investment underscores the government’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment and fostering the growth of technical education in the state. The combined convocation ceremony, scheduled for Friday, is a testament to the collective efforts of the university’s administration, faculty, staff, and students, and marks a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards becoming a leading center for technical education.
