The Abiola Ajimobi Technical University (AATU), located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, has announced the graduation of 310 students, with 69 of them earning First-Class honours across various academic disciplines.
This announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adesola Ajayi, during a pre-convocation press conference held on Thursday at the institution’s premises. The occasion precedes the university’s combined 3rd and 4th Convocation Ceremony scheduled to hold on Friday, April 12, 2025.
According to Professor Ajayi, the convocation covers graduates from the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. He revealed that apart from their Bachelor’s degrees, all graduating students would also receive a Diploma in French and a Certificate in Vocational Studies—an innovative strategy aimed at preparing the students to become job creators, not job seekers.
The Vice-Chancellor provided a detailed breakdown of the graduating students by faculty. The students graduated from two main faculties: the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering.
In the 2022/2023 session, 15 students from the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences earned First-Class degrees, while 17 from the Faculty of Engineering achieved the same honour, totaling 32. Additionally, the university produced 75 Second-Class Upper graduates, 28 with Second-Class Lower, and 6 with Third-Class honours across both faculties during the session.
For the 2023/2024 session, another 37 students achieved First-Class honours, bringing the combined total across two sessions to 69.
A summary of the two-year academic performance includes:
Natural and Applied Sciences: 28 First-Class, 62 Second-Class Upper, 35 Second-Class Lower, and 6 Third-Class graduates.
Engineering: 41 First-Class, 89 Second-Class Upper, 36 Second-Class Lower, and 11 Third-Class graduates.
“This achievement is not just a reflection of the students’ hard work but also of the commitment of our faculty and academic staff to excellence,” Ajayi said.
A notable highlight of the convocation is the university’s unwavering commitment to vocational and entrepreneurial education. Professor Ajayi emphasized that every graduate from the institution is equipped not only with academic knowledge but also practical skills to thrive in the ever-competitive job market.
“There is no alternative to vocational training in today’s Nigeria,” he said. “We are not just turning out graduates; we are empowering them to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and create sustainable businesses. The dual certification in French and Vocational Studies ensures our graduates can operate both locally and internationally.”
He added that the goal is to produce well-rounded individuals who possess both technical know-how and soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and creativity—qualities that are essential in a fast-evolving global economy.
Professor Ajayi also lauded the support of the Visitor to the University and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his contributions to the school’s infrastructural development. According to him, the state government committed over N1.4 billion to improving the university’s infrastructure in the past year alone.
“This financial support has significantly enhanced our capacity to deliver quality education, improved our learning environment, and attracted top-tier academic talent,” Ajayi added.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that AATU is continuously investing in research, partnerships, and innovation to ensure its graduates are globally competitive. He hinted at upcoming international collaborations and plans to expand academic programs in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and green energy.
As the institution marks its combined convocation, stakeholders, students, and parents have praised the university’s proactive approach to education. Many see the dual certification and entrepreneurial drive as a bold, necessary step in combating graduate unemployment in Nigeria.
With the high number of First-Class graduates, emphasis on bilingualism, and acquisition of vocational skills, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University is poised to remain a leading light in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.