The Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Rev. Fr. Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale, OP, has reflected on his first year in office, highlighting significant strides recorded by the University in infrastructure, staffing, accreditation, staff welfare, security, research and institutional development.

Speaking during an interview with the Public Relations Unit of Augustine University to mark his first anniversary in office, the Vice Chancellor emphasised that the progress recorded over the past year was the product of collective effort and cooperation among the Proprietor, Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students.

Reflecting on his assumption of office exactly one year ago, Rev. Prof. Akinwale acknowledged the goodwill extended to him by the University community and recognised the remarkable foundation laid by the founders and previous administrations. He noted that while significant accomplishments had already been achieved, there remained substantial work to be done, stressing that “a university must always excel.”

A central principle that has defined his administration, he explained, is fidelity to due process. According to him, the outcome of an accomplishment is important, but so is the process through which it is achieved. Over the past year, the University has therefore remained committed to strengthening the processes guiding its academic, administrative and technical decisions.

Among the achievements highlighted by the Vice Chancellor is the improvement of the quality of the University’s hostels to provide a more comfortable and enabling environment for students. His administration has also recruited new and competent staff for various academic programmes and administrative units, while efforts have contributed to securing full accreditation for the University’s programmes.

The administration has equally prioritised staff welfare, with improvements in remuneration aimed at boosting staff morale. The Vice Chancellor further highlighted the University’s commitment to its twin objectives of learning and character, as well as the deployment of technology to strengthen security across the University campus, its perimeter and surrounding vicinity.

Another significant milestone recorded during the year is the preparation of the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, which is expected to be presented at the next meeting of the Governing Council. The University also recorded notable recognition in the AD Scientific Index 2026, where it was ranked among the 10 top private universities in Nigeria and identified as the highest-ranking Catholic university in the country.

Looking ahead, Rev. Prof. Akinwale outlined an ambitious agenda for the coming year. Key priorities include continued adherence to due process, achieving 24/7 campus-wide electricity, strengthening the culture of infrastructure maintenance, and constructing additional hostels to accommodate increased student enrolment.

The University will also intensify incentives for research and publication, review and remodel its curricula, commence more postgraduate programmes, and increase its national and international visibility. The administration will further focus on improving the University’s ranking, staffing and quality assurance.

The Vice Chancellor stressed that the achievements of the past year should not be attributed to him alone. He deliberately spoke of the accomplishments in the first-person plural, noting that they were achieved through the collective efforts of the University community.

“I have chosen to speak in the first person plural because these are not accomplishments of the Vice Chancellor alone,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the cooperation received from the Proprietor, Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Senate, staff and students.

As Augustine University enters the second year of his administration, Rev. Prof. Akinwale expressed confidence that sustained cooperation and commitment would position the University among leading institutions of university education globally.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to due process, the Vice Chancellor concluded with a reference to St. Augustine of Hippo, describing due process as representing order and recalling that “order” is the first law in the City of God.