Achievers University, Owo, reaffirmed its commitment to academic distinction, moral discipline, and student wellbeing as it held the 2nd Annual College/Faculty Colloquium between Monday, 19th and Saturday, 24th May 2025. The week-long event, which engaged students across all colleges and faculties, served as a vital platform for open dialogue on issues affecting students’ academic performance, moral values, safety, and overall welfare.
The 2024/2025 academic session’s colloquium commenced with sessions for students from the College of Social and Management Sciences and the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. It continued throughout the week with the participation of other colleges and faculties including Medicine, Law, Engineering and Technology, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Education. Notably, students under the University’s Flexible Academic Programme (FAP) were also engaged during the colloquium.
At the heart of the colloquium was the keynote charge by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Bode Ayorinde, who issued a clarion call for discipline, responsibility, and proactive engagement among students. He strongly cautioned them against drug abuse, bullying, and fighting, reiterating that such behaviours would not be tolerated and could attract outright expulsion from the University. He further reminded students that there is no seniority in the University system, stressing, “No student is superior to another; you are all equal before the law.”
On issues of security, Professor Ayorinde advised students to avoid traveling at dawn or dusk and discouraged solitary movements, emphasizing the importance of personal safety and security consciousness. He also stressed the need for students to always inform someone of their whereabouts.
Addressing payment of school fees, he expressed deep concern over the high volume of outstanding school fees and the abuse of the University’s installment payment policy by some students. Warning that this flexibility may be withdrawn if continually abused, he reminded students that all financial obligations must be settled and financial clearance obtained on or before June 1, 2025, ahead of the second semester examinations. He also warned against paying school fees through proxies, particularly members of staff, as such acts contravene University policy and could expose students to fraud.
In addition, Professor Ayorinde warned against all forms of extortion, whether from students or staff, declaring such acts as contrary to the University’s core values of Knowledge, Integrity, and Leadership. He also urged both students and staff to refrain from indecent behavior and indiscipline, which tarnish the institution’s reputation.
A major highlight of the colloquium was the spotlight on the College/Faculty Rating Board, an internal initiative designed to promote healthy competition among colleges and faculties by evaluating disciplinary records, academic contributions, and overall institutional impact. With a ₦5 million cash prize to be awarded to the top-performing college/faculty, the initiative is aimed at encouraging collective effort toward excellence.
Professor Ayorinde concluded with a strong admonition for students to embody the University’s core values of Knowledge, Integrity, and Leadership, reminding them that Achievers University is committed to raising not just scholars, but value-driven citizens prepared to lead in their respective fields.
Having in attendance the University’s Principal Officers, ably led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, the colloquium also offered students the opportunity to express concerns on issues affecting them directly, which were documented for management’s immediate and future consideration. From academics to welfare and discipline, the interactive sessions reinforced the University’s commitment to student-centred governance.
