AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, has inaugurated a new Governing Council, with renowned academic and former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Prof. Dapo Asaju, appointed as its Chairman. The inauguration ceremony, held at the university’s Senate Chamber in Garden of Victory, Ibadan, on Saturday, 22nd March, 2025, marked the institution’s second Governing Council since its founding.
In his goodwill message, the PCU Chancellor, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, expressed confidence in the new Council’s ability to steer the university towards greater achievements, citing the impressive track records of members of the Council. He reaffirmed his commitment to uplifting PCU to an enviable status and urged the Council members to work diligently towards the institution’s progress.
Profile of Prof. Dapo Asaju
Born on November 16, 1961, Prof. Dapo Asaju is a distinguished academic and Bishop Theologian of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. He served as Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University from October 2015 to September 2020. Asaju earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a Master’s in Christian Studies in 1985, both from the University of Ilorin. He later obtained his Ph.D. in Christian Studies from the same institution in 2003.
His academic journey spans over three decades, beginning as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Christian Studies at the University of Ilorin. He rose through the ranks to become an Associate Professor in 1999 and a full Professor in 2004. He held several key positions, including Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at Lagos State University (LASU), as well as a member of the university’s Governing Council from 2006 to 2008.
Prof. Asaju’s contributions extend beyond academia. He has been involved in theological development, serving as Bishop Theologian for the Church of Nigeria and Rector of Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary. He also pastored several Anglican parishes and served as Chaplain at LASU’s Chapel of Light from 2006 to 2009.
A prolific scholar, Prof. Asaju has supervised numerous postgraduate students and published extensively in local and international journals. He belongs to several academic and religious bodies, contributing to initiatives such as the Constitution Drafting Committee for the inauguration of Lagos West Diocese and the Theological Resource Grading for GAFCON.
He is married to Barrister Harriet Seun Asaju, and they have three children.
PCU’s Vision for Growth
During the inauguration, PCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Olubisi Adejumo, described the new Council’s appointment as a fresh chapter in the university’s journey. He praised the outgoing Council members for laying a solid foundation, which led to the full accreditation of several academic programs by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Highlighting PCU’s milestones, Prof. Adejumo noted that student enrollment increased steadily over the past three academic sessions, with 95 graduates in 2021/2022, 100 in 2022/2023, and 118 in 2023/2024. The university expanded its academic offerings from 13 to 17 programs and is awaiting NUC verification for six postgraduate courses and seven new undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts and Allied Health Sciences.
Infrastructure improvements include the completion of the Rev’d Dr. Temitayo Felix Owolabi Female Hostel, a new male hostel, the procurement of a 15 KVA transformer, and the acquisition of official vehicles for principal officers. Staff welfare also saw a boost with salary upgrades effective from January 2025.
The VC charged the new Council to focus on enhancing funding, infrastructure, student welfare, and achieving the university’s relocation to its permanent site. “Your appointment is not merely an honor, but a divine assignment,” he said, expressing optimism that the Council would exceed expectations.
Asaju’s Vision for PCU
In his remarks, Prof. Asaju outlined his vision for the university, emphasizing collaboration with management and other stakeholders to achieve holistic development. “The Governing Council’s role is to supervise the university’s affairs, staff, students, infrastructure, and finances,” he said. “We aim to raise godly individuals who excel in their fields and positively impact society.”
He pledged to harness the collective wisdom of the Council to guide PCU’s growth, ensuring it becomes a beacon of academic and moral excellence. “This is a Christian university, and God will direct its affairs. We will support the management’s initiatives and ensure decisions align with the institution’s core values,” he added.
New Governing Council Members
Other members of the new Governing Council include: Prof. Akinwale Coker, University of Ibadan; Prof. Muritala Awodun, Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship; Jacob Kehinde Ajibola, Civil Engineer and Minister of God; Mr. Abayomi Bello, General Manager, Bovas Group and; Dr Philip Oyewale, Chairman/CEO, Immaculate Group.
The new Council is expected to bring fresh ideas and leadership to propel PCU towards achieving its vision of academic excellence, infrastructural development, and societal impact.
