By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, has given his scorecard since he assumed office as the acting VC of the state-owned institution, ascribing all achievements to God Almighty and the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his unwaving support for the university.

Interacting with journalists on Thursday in his office on the journey so far, the VC said though some challenges abound, “Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has witnessed a dramatic transformation in human capital development and other achievements since September 2, 2024, when I was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor.”

According to him, under his watch, the university has “addressed some of the financial backlog inherited from the previous administrations,” adding that this feat was made possible because the present Edo State government increased the monthly subvention to the university.

“Before this administration, the University experienced poor funding as a result of the reduction of her monthly subvention of N270 million which was grossly inadequate to N41 million since 2021 with adverse effect on the University but by divine intervention and the goodwill of the Executive Governor and Visitor to Ambrose Alli University, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, the monthly subvention increased to N500 million, since November, 2024,” he added.

The Acting VC, who boasted that “prompt payment of salaries to staff and pensions to pensioners have been the hallmark of my administration,” disclosed that his administration implemented the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 as soon as it was approved by the Governing Council of the institution.

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Prof. Samuel, while noting that “in line with the directives of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, all politically sacked staff by the defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) has been reinstated,” said many members of staff who had their names removed “due to the controversial biometric exercise conducted by the defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT),” had been restored.

The acting VC said AAU, under his leadership, has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (JLICT) and Mutual Commitment Company Limited, adding that this MoU would enable the two parties’ Student Exchange Programs; Undergraduate overseas study opportunities, amongst others.

He explained: “This MoU entails the following: (a) Student Exchange Programs: Undergraduate overseas study opportunities, (b) Faculty Exchange Programs: Cross-training and capacity building for academic staff, (c) Joint Research and Academic Projects: Collaborative initiatives in teaching and innovation, (d) Internships and Joint Seminars: Practical exposure for students and faculty.

“This partnership is poised to transfer technology, enhance academic opportunities, and provide scholarships, among other mutual benefits. Its implementation is already being worked out by the Edo State Government.”

The Acting VC, who said JAMB related challenges thousands of AAU graduates faced in the past have fully been resolved, disclosed that the university under his administration, and with the approval of the Governing Council, has put machinery in place to ensure graduates are issued certificate immediately after their graduation, and transcript has been made easy.

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He said: “In the past, thousands of graduates faced blocked JAMB profiles or regularisation challenges, preventing them from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“Through divine intervention and the tireless efforts of key stakeholders, especially the people-oriented Governor of Edo State and the Honourable Commissioner for Education, these issues have now been fully resolved. Affected graduates can now proceed with NYSC mobilisation, while other related cases are being addressed seamlessly.”

The Acting VC continued: “The Senate recently approved a policy to enhance the University’s efficiency and responsiveness in handling certificates and transcripts. Henceforth, all graduates will receive their certificates immediately after graduation. Additionally, long-standing issues with transcript applications have been addressed, and implementation is ongoing to ensure alumni satisfaction.
This reform marks a turning point in the University’s commitment to excellent service delivery.

“For the first time in its history, the University has resolved the issue of missing results, effective from the 2023/2024 session. Students could access their results in all registered courses before registering for the new session. This milestone was achieved through commendable staff cooperation and the unwavering support of University Management. Backlogs from previous sessions are also being actively resolved.”

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Prof. Samuel disclosed that “significant strides have been made in resolving inherited challenges in the College of Medicine,” adding “this includes the successful swearing-in and Oath-taking Ceremony of Set 18 Medical Doctors (2020/2021 session), induction of 810 Nurses, and
resolution of the MLS Students’ Indexing and Examination challenges caused by excess admissions.”

He added that the university, under his leadership, “recently secured the approval of the Nursing Council to commence admissions into the Nursing Science programme with a quota of 120 students in the 2024/2025 session,” just as he stressed that “the final approval from the NUC is being awaited by the University.”

The Acting VC who expressed delight that “Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, was nominated as the Most Exceptional State University of the Year and its Acting Vice-Chancellor as the Most Exceptional Vice-Chancellor of the Year-State University by the Nigerian Academic Excellence Awards (NAEA) 2024, among many others,” said the university also “came out as the 3rd best University in Nigeria at the last Nigeria Medical Students Association (NIMSA) GAMES hosted by the University of Lagos with 26 medals which include a gold medal in male football, gold in Male Handball, bronze in female handball and bronze in female volleyball and many other awards.”

The Acting VC, while stating that “the University has enjoyed a rare level of peace and harmony under the current administration,” added that “the 2022/2023 academic session of the Directorate of Science and Humanities (Part-Time) and has commenced the first semester examinations for the 2024/2025 session without disruption, reflecting a stable and efficiently managed academic calendar.”