The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has approved the College of Education and Entrepreneurship Studies, Lessel, Benue State, to run degree programmes in education-related disciplines under its academic supervision, marking a significant expansion of access to quality university education in the North-Central region of the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Provost of the college, Dr. Austin Ortiv, who confirmed that the approval followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions last Thursday.
According to Dr. Ortiv, the agreement formally empowers the college to run approved academic programmes while operating fully under the regulatory and academic oversight of Adekunle Ajasin University, ensuring strict adherence to national university standards.
He explained that the partnership was conceived to strengthen teacher education in Nigeria by producing graduates who are well grounded in educational pedagogy and equipped with practical skills relevant to modern teaching and learning environments.
Dr. Ortiv noted that with the approval now in place, the College of Education and Entrepreneurship Studies, Lessel, would commence the training and graduation of professional educators who combine sound academic knowledge with entrepreneurial competence.
He stated that the institution has been approved to run several programmes, including degree programmes in education, certificate programmes in entrepreneurship, and advanced certificate programmes in education, describing the milestone as a major leap in the college’s institutional development.
Under the terms of the MoU, the provost said all critical academic processes for degree students—such as admissions, curriculum development, screening, examinations, and the issuance of certificates—would be handled directly by Adekunle Ajasin University.
He added that students enrolled in the programmes would be fully recognised as AAUA degree students, with their matriculation and convocation ceremonies conducted by the university, thereby guaranteeing the national and international credibility of their certificates.
Beyond academic training, Dr. Ortiv emphasised that students would also receive hands-on entrepreneurial training in business, technology, engineering-related skills, trade, and craft, aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing graduate unemployment.
The collaboration reflects a growing policy direction in Nigerian higher education that prioritises the integration of entrepreneurship into teacher education, in line with national development and workforce needs.
Meanwhile, Adekunle Ajasin University has continued to distinguish itself in academic excellence. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, recently revealed that 32 out of 5,799 undergraduate students who completed their programmes in the 2025/2026 academic session graduated with first-class honours.
Professor Ige announced that the 32 first-class graduates would be offered automatic employment as graduate assistants, noting that the university maintains a policy of retaining its best graduates, provided they return to serve the institution after completing their National Youth Service Corps, further reinforcing AAUA’s commitment to academic quality and institutional growth.
