Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, continues to position itself as one of Nigeria’s most promising private institutions, excelling in academic innovation and moral leadership despite recent concerns raised over ICT-based examinations. When The Nigeria Education News team visited the campus in July 2025, the overall impression from students and staff pointed to a university striving for excellence, even as they called for improvements in its ICT infrastructure.
Our team toured key academic and administrative areas of the institution, including the Faculties of Communication and Media Studies, Nursing, Law, and Engineering. While students were eager to speak about the challenges facing ICT-based assessments, many also highlighted the university’s serene environment, strong academic mentorship, and robust disciplinary culture as pillars of their positive learning experience.
Ajayi Crowther University has gained a reputation for academic innovation, especially in the fields of Mass Communication, Performing Arts, and Nursing. The university encourages interdisciplinary learning by integrating entrepreneurship and digital literacy courses into all programmes. Students we spoke with confirmed that these additions have equipped them with practical skills needed in today’s job market.
The Nigeria Education News team observed ongoing lectures across multiple departments, where smart classroom technology and blended learning tools were being deployed. Despite recent hitches with ICT-based exams, particularly in machine errors and missing grades, the university has shown commitment to expanding its digital infrastructure, an effort that became more pronounced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lecturers at the university were commended by students for being accessible, knowledgeable, and passionate about mentorship. From our interactions, it was evident that many students view their lecturers not just as instructors, but as academic guides. A student from the Faculty of Law shared that lecturers regularly hold revision sessions and encourage one-on-one feedback, something rarely found in larger public institutions.
Another area of strength is the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies. During our visit, the centre hosted a student-run exhibition showcasing skills in fashion design, soap making, digital photography, and agricultural processing. According to the Director of the Centre, the goal is to ensure that “every Ajayi Crowther graduate leaves with at least one additional skill that can generate income.”
The university’s library system, which includes a well-equipped e-library, stood out during our tour. Students spoke about the ease of accessing academic journals, textbooks, and databases, especially those writing their final-year projects. The library staff were also seen assisting students with research tools and citation software, enhancing the quality of academic submissions.
Despite the ICT-related concerns, the university management appears proactive. Students told our reporters that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adebayo, holds regular town hall meetings to hear student complaints directly. A few faculty members who spoke with us under anonymity confirmed that the administration is aware of the ICT glitches and has set up a review team to address the lapses before the next round of assessments.
While some students expressed frustration over low or missing grades linked to ICT-related errors, others noted that such issues were being taken seriously by department heads. “It’s not perfect,” one student from the Faculty of Nursing admitted, “but the school is doing better than many others when it comes to responding quickly and involving students in the process.”
Ajayi Crowther University’s strength lies in its ability to combine spiritual, academic, and professional development. The chaplaincy and moral instruction courses remain core to the school’s identity. Our team observed students participating in morning devotions and Sunday services, which form part of the character-building ethos of the institution.
The university’s alumni network is also playing an increasing role in mentorship and career opportunities. Students from the Performing Arts department told us about recent workshops held by alumni working in Nollywood and radio broadcasting. These platforms give current students a realistic view of the industries they are preparing to enter.
Though not immune to the challenges common in Nigerian tertiary institutions, including funding, equipment needs, and network problems, Ajayi Crowther University remains one of the few institutions where discipline, transparency, and academic innovation are actively pursued. Stakeholders across the board students, lecturers, and alumni believe the institution is moving in the right direction.
The Nigeria Education News team left the campus with a strong impression that Ajayi Crowther University is not defined by its flaws but by its determined effort to create a balanced academic environment. With continued investment in digital reforms, infrastructural upgrades, and student-centered policies, ACU remains a beacon for private higher education in Nigeria.
