Vice Chancellor, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, has said that one of the factors for establishing the university is to stem and arrest the tide of incessant industrial actions by the academic and non-academic members of staff in public universities.

Speaking with journalists on the maiden and combined convocation ceremonies of the university, the Vice Chancellor said that the government approved establishment of both public and private universities for them to rescue the nation’s education system, “which over the years had been in shambles and suffered set back and deterioration”.

Professor Aibinu, who said that the establishment of the Summit University was aimed at fostering a holistic approach to education. He noted that not only knowledge and skills but also moral and ethical values, adding that the vision reflects the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who can stand on their own, become job creators and as well prepare for gainful employment under the “industry-ready graduates” mantra and God-fearing individuals despite the prevailing vices in the society.

The VC expressed great delight that Summit University, Offa has achieved significant milestones in its journey towards becoming a recognized institution of learning, saying that the NUC conducted accreditation exercises in 2019, 2021 and 2022, approving full accreditations for all its academic programmes.

He also said that the decision to site Summit University in Offa, Kwara state was deliberate, owing to the significance of Offa town as a hub for education. He stated that the Offa community has a rich tradition of establishing educational institutions through self-help initiatives such as the Offa Grammar School, the first community secondary school in Northern Nigeria founded in 1943.

Since the commencement of academic activities on March 6, 2017, Summit University, Offa has achieved academic excellence attributing the success to several factors including a serene and conducive environment, a dedicated and experienced teaching staff and the rapid development of world class facilities. Notably, it can now boast of well-equipped laboratories, a state-of-the art library with e-facilities and high speed internet connectivity.

He expressed happiness that the institution has continued to strengthen its efforts to raise funds from research grants while the Institution won its first international research grant in October 2023, on a project titled “Artificial Intelligence for females in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (A14FS).

The four-day programme for the combined convocation activities featured Research Exhibition, ground breaking ceremonies, commissioning of the new central mosque and special Jumat service, investiture of the university Chancellor, Alhaji (Dr.) Suleiman Adegunwa (OFR), conferment of Honourary Doctorate Degree Honours (Honoris Causa), ground breaking ceremony for Senate building, launching of Summit University N5 billion development plan and convocation ceremony for the award of Bachelor’s degree, among others.

Summit University (SUN) Offa was founded by the Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN), a prominent Islamic-faith based organization with the noble objective of providing high quality tertiary education to all Nigerians regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or creed.