AAUE: ONE YEAR OF REBUILDING, RESEARCH AND RENEWAL. . . ₦500m monthly subvention, medical projects, research breakthroughs define Omonzejie’s first year

By Esosa Omorogbe 

One year after Professor Mrs. Eunice Eboiserehimen Omonzejie assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, the institution is witnessing renewed activity in infrastructure, research and academic development, with the Edo State Government’s monthly subvention rising from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, major College of Medicine projects taking off and fresh research interventions strengthening the university’s academic base. The Edo State Government-backed medical projects include three 500-capacity lecture theatres, two 300-bed medical students’ hostels and twin 300-capacity lecture theatres.

The developments, according to the Principal Assistant Registrar/Head, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Aladenika, reflect the direction of the Omonzejie administration since she assumed office on September 22, 2025. Aladenika said the focus had been on rebuilding the university’s physical infrastructure while strengthening its academic and administrative systems. He added that the increased government funding had provided greater room for the institution to address critical needs and pursue projects capable of improving teaching, learning and student welfare.

Research has also emerged as a significant component of the university’s first-year story. During the period, the Vice-Chancellor received the report of a ₦13.9 million NCC-funded research project led by Engr. Prof. A. Obiazi of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The grant, awarded in 2022 under the NCC’s 2021 Research and Development Intervention Programme, supported research into an intelligent mechanism for testing and managing Quality of Service and Quality of Experience on mobile communication networks. AAU said Prof. Omonzejie commended the research team, while 33 academic staff also benefited from TETFund Institutional-Based Research intervention in 2025.

According to Aladenika, the university’s renewal drive has extended beyond physical projects to staff development, digital transformation and student achievement. The institution has promoted the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in teaching and administration, while academic staff, postgraduate supervisors and coordinators have participated in capacity-building initiatives. AAU athletes who returned from the National Universities Games were received by the Vice-Chancellor, who pledged scholarships for outstanding performers, while students of English and Literary Studies distinguished themselves at the All-Nigeria Universities Debate Competition in Port Harcourt.

The first year has, however, not been without challenges, particularly over governance, student welfare and access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND. Management, through Aladenika, rejected reports alleging a breakdown of governance and administrative crisis, while also addressing concerns over students’ access to NELFUND and other welfare programmes. He said the issues were part of the realities of managing a public university where growing expectations must constantly be matched with resources, systems and administrative capacity.

As Omonzejie marks one year in office on September 22, attention is now shifting from the initial interventions to their sustainability. Aladenika said the immediate priorities would include completing ongoing projects, deepening research, strengthening digital systems, sustaining staff development and keeping student welfare at the centre of institutional planning. “One year may be too short to declare a university transformed, but it is long enough to establish direction,” he said, adding that AAUE was gradually moving from merely confronting old challenges to building the foundations of a more competitive university.

+2348024189597(WhatsApp only). +2349134668587(WhatsApp and Calls only) email.- sparknewsnaija@gmail.com