How Aremu steered Achievers University through fraud crisis‎

‎Professor Oyesoji Aremu steered Achievers University, Owo, through the discovery and management of a fraud case during his eight-month tenure as Acting Vice-Chancellor, even as the institution maintained academic and administrative stability, Confiance News has learned.
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‎Aremu’s handling of the crisis emerged as one of the defining moments of his stewardship, which the University marked on Friday at a ceremony honouring his service from December 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. The event, themed “Celebrating Distinguished Service & Exemplary Leadership,” brought together the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, students and alumni.
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‎In his valedictory address titled “As This Chapter Ends,” Aremu reflected on the challenges of leading the University during a critical period, noting that he inherited office shortly before the institution’s 15th Convocation Ceremony and had to navigate the fraud case alongside other institutional pressures. Despite this, it was confirmed that the University successfully concluded the 2025/2026 academic session without disruption.
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‎Confiance News gathered that beyond managing the crisis, Aremu’s administration recorded several notable milestones, including the accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme with an approved quota of 120 students, and full accreditation of seven other academic programmes. His tenure also saw the revitalisation of the University’s inaugural lecture series, strengthened postgraduate quality assurance, advancement of distance education initiatives, and the commencement of the University’s registration for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
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‎Speaking at the ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Bode Ayorinde, described Aremu’s performance as outstanding, praising his humility, creativity and commitment to institutional advancement. “He has taken the University to greater heights,” Ayorinde said.
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‎It was learned that the returning Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, also commended Aremu’s handling of the period as impactful, while the University’s Registrar, Adebayo Olagunju, praised his inclusive and consultative leadership style, particularly his handling of decision-making during periods of institutional pressure.
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‎Other achievements sighted by Confiance News include improvements in governance, staff development, infrastructure and strategic partnerships, including a new collaboration framework between Achievers University and the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. Under the Achievers University Green Care Initiative, more than 130 tree seedlings were reportedly planted across the campus to promote environmental sustainability.
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‎Expressing appreciation to the University’s Founder, Council, Senate, management, staff and students, Aremu attributed the successful management of the period to their collective support. “As this chapter ends, it does not fade into silence,” he said. “It continues to resonate in the lives I may never fully know I touched, and in the tenacity that has now become a reference for service and stewardship.”
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‎Confiance News obtained goodwill messages from senior academics who praised Aremu’s composure and integrity throughout his tenure. The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, described him as an inspirational and fair-minded administrator, while the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Dr. Kola Adegoke, described his tenure as “a living case study in ethical governance, responsible management and servant leadership.”
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‎The Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr. Olutosin Ilesanmi, commended Aremu’s consultative approach and openness to diverse opinions even under pressure, while the University’s Bursar, Oluwafunbi Ayodeji, praised his commitment to institutional stability and staff welfare during a difficult period.
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‎As part of the ceremony, the University inaugurated its Green Care Initiative through the planting of commemorative trees, held a Special Senate Session in Aremu’s honour, and conferred on him the CRED 360 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award in recognition of his service.
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‎Aremu, a renowned Counselling Psychologist and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), assumed office as Acting Vice-Chancellor following the extended leave of the substantive Vice-Chancellor. Confiance News understands that the University will now continue its academic programmes under the leadership of Professor Irinoye, whose Birthday Thanksgiving Celebration forms the second event in the institution’s leadership celebration series.