Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, on Monday announced that 32 of its students graduated with first-class honours out of a total of 5,799 undergraduates in the 2025/2026 academic session.

The state-owned university revealed that these 32 top-performing graduates would be offered automatic employment as graduate assistants.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, disclosed this while speaking to journalists about activities leading up to the university’s 14th convocation.

According to Professor Ige, the institution has a policy of retaining its best graduates, provided they are willing to join the university after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. He said,
"The university has a policy that gives automatic employment to its best graduates. So, the 32 First Class graduates can get the opportunity if they are willing after their NYSC programme."

Providing a breakdown of graduating students, the Vice Chancellor said,
"For this 14th convocation, a total of 5,799 students from our various faculties and postgraduate school will be awarded degrees. We have 32 first-class students, 1,444 second-class upper students, 3,177 second-class lower students, 582 third-class students, and 16 pass students, totaling 5,251 undergraduates. Additionally, 526 postgraduate students will graduate, including 32 Ph.D. recipients, 492 master’s degree holders, two postgraduate diploma recipients, and 22 diploma holders."

As part of the convocation activities, Professor Ige stated that the convocation lecture would be delivered by Professor Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Celebrating his final convocation as the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ige highlighted that AAUA has consistently achieved 100 percent accreditation of its academic programmes from the National Universities Commission. He emphasized that his administration has prioritized the continuous training and professional development of staff.

He added that his administration has maintained the integrity of the university’s programmes in line with its vision to advance manpower development through self-apprenticeship and research.

Despite financial challenges facing the education sector, Professor Ige noted significant progress in the university’s infrastructural development. He also expressed gratitude to the staff unions for their support and solidarity, which have been crucial in ensuring a harmonious and smoothly operating university environment.