The Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, has announced that the institution will soon enjoy uninterrupted power supply, following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s approval of 1.5 megawatts of alternative energy for the university.
He further disclosed that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has also approved the construction of solar plants on campus to complement the state government’s efforts.
Security Update
Prof. Samuel clarified that the man recently found dead inside a bush within the university premises was not a student of AAU. According to him, investigations revealed that the victim was brought into the campus from Ubiaja, while suspects connected to the killing have been arrested and transferred to the State CID.
In response, the university has stepped up security measures and restricted students from driving cars into the campus.
Financial Reforms and Staff Welfare
The VC highlighted that with the increased government subvention of ₦500 million, the university has been able to clear several inherited financial backlogs, including:
- Prompt payment of staff salaries and pensions
- Implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage
- Reinstatement of politically sacked staff
- Restoration of staff names previously removed from the payroll
He emphasized that staff promotions have also been prioritized, with 57 elevated to Professors, 56 to Associate Professors, and the release of pending 2022–2024 promotions across all staff categories.
Academic Reforms and Student Benefits
Prof. Samuel noted major progress in resolving long-standing issues such as:
- NYSC mobilisation delays caused by blocked JAMB profiles – now fully resolved
- Issuance of certificates immediately after graduation
- Faster transcript processing for alumni
- Resolution of missing results from the 2023/2024 session onwards
The VC also revealed that the TETFund ban on AAU has been lifted, restoring staff access to academic development grants, conference sponsorships, and research funding.
Progress in the College of Medicine
The administration has recorded significant milestones, including:
- Successful swearing-in of Set 18 Medical Doctors (2020/2021 session)
- Induction of 810 Nurses
- Clearance of MLS students’ examination and indexing backlog caused by over-admissions
- Approval by the Nursing Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to admit 120 Nursing Science students in the 2024/2025 session (awaiting NUC final approval)
- Ongoing process for resumption of admission into the Medicine and Surgery programme
International Partnerships
The university has signed an MoU with Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (JLICT) and Mutual Commitment Company Ltd to facilitate:
- Undergraduate exchange programs
- Faculty cross-training and capacity building
- Scholarship opportunities
- Technology transfer initiatives
The VC also represented AAU at the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin, China (Nov. 2024), where Nigeria was represented by only three universities.
Restoring AAU’s Glory
Prof. Samuel reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring AAU’s legacy as envisioned by its founding fathers, stressing that the reforms already implemented mark a turning point in the university’s service delivery, academic excellence, and staff welfare.
