AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has reaffirmed his dedication to elevating the institution’s standing among Nigerian universities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the university’s second Governing Council on Saturday at the Senate Chamber, Olaogun, Ibadan, Bishop Oke, who also serves as President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), underscored the critical role of Governing Councils in driving institutional progress.
He urged the newly inaugurated members to work tirelessly toward advancing the university’s growth and development.
The newly appointed Governing Council includes Prof. Adedapo Asaju, who serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman; Prof. Akinwale Coker, a distinguished academic from the University of Ibadan; Prof. Muritala Awodun, an expert in Business and Entrepreneurship; Jacob Kehinde Ajibola, a clergyman and registered Civil Engineer; Mr Abayomi Bello, General Manager, Bovas Group, Rev. Philip Oyewale, Chairman, CEO and Group Managing Director Immaculate Group.
Vice-Chancellor of PCU, Prof. Timothy Olubisi Adejumo, expressed optimism about the university’s future, citing the new Council’s wealth of experience as a catalyst for growth. He highlighted plans to enhance funding, expand infrastructure, and expedite the institution’s move to its permanent site.
“We pray that God strengthens the new Council to surpass our expectations. With the caliber of individuals now on board, we are confident that PCU will witness increased student enrollment, the expansion of academic programs, successful research grant applications, improved infrastructure, and enhanced student welfare,” Adejumo said.
Acknowledging the contributions of the former Governing Council, the VC described their tenure as the foundation for PCU’s recent milestones. Under their leadership, the university achieved full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for several programs, including Accounting, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Economics, International Relations, Mass Communication, Microbiology, Physics with Electronics, and Software Engineering.
The VC further noted that student enrollment has steadily increased, with 95 graduates in the 2021/2022 academic session, 100 in 2022/2023, and 118 in 2023/2024. Additionally, PCU’s academic offerings have grown from 13 to 17 programs, with ongoing resource verification by the NUC for six postgraduate programs and seven youth-friendly undergraduate programs within the Faculty of Arts and Allied Health Sciences.
Prof. Adejumo also highlighted notable infrastructural improvements, such as the completion of the Rev’d Dr. Temitayo Felix Owolabi Female Hostel, a new male hostel, the procurement of a 15 KVA transformer, and official vehicles for principal officers. He added that the university upgraded staff salaries as of January 2025 and increased school fees for the 2024/2025 session to support these developments.
In his remarks, Pro-Chancellor Prof. Dapo Asaju pledged the Council’s commitment to guiding the university’s affairs, ensuring infrastructural growth, and strengthening financial management.
“The Governing Council is tasked with supervising the university’s administration, infrastructure, and finances while working closely with management to uphold the institution’s vision of producing godly professionals who will make a positive impact on society,” Asaju said. “We aim to steer PCU toward becoming a world-class Christian university.”
Asaju, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, added, “We’ll rely on collective wisdom to make decisions in the best interest of the university. PCU is a Christian institution, and we trust God to guide our path.”
Bishop Oke’s call for dedication resonated throughout the ceremony, setting the tone for a new chapter in PCU’s journey toward academic excellence and holistic development.
