07/08/2026
Archbishop Aladekugbe Charges ACU Leaders: "Walk the Talk" at Leadership Retreat
The second day of the leadership retreat for Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Committees at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, took a profound turn as The Most Rev'd. Dr. Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, Archbishop of Ibadan Province and a member of the Governing Council, ACU, delivered a powerful charge to the institution's leadership, urging them to embody the theme "Come, labour on: Nehemiah Leaders in Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo."
Addressing the gathering on Friday, 7th August, 2026, Archbishop Aladekugbe described the participants as the critical "bridge" for the university's progress, emphasising that the core objective of the retreat is to "drive institutional competition and global recognition."
He asserted that for the university to transcend its current stage, a deliberate investment in the "intellectual, administrative, and ethical capacity" of its leaders is non-negotiable.
The Archbishop framed the retreat as a cornerstone of the Vice-Chancellor's strategic vision to ensure the university's leadership is "future-ready, innovative, competitive, and deeply committed to excellence." He stressed that modern university leadership has evolved beyond mere routine administration, now demanding "strategic thinking, strategic innovation, and stewardship" in a rapidly changing academic environment.
Drawing parallels with ecclesiastical preferment, the Archbishop reminded the university leaders that their tenured appointments are a mark of trust from the management. "No governor appoints his enemy as his commissioner," he noted, stressing that such appointments must be handled with the utmost care and responsibility. He warned that the tenured nature of their roles is a call to careful stewardship, not a guarantee of permanence.
The Archbishop emphasised a crucial distinction: "This appointment is an opportunity. It is not everyone that works in a university setting that will live to become a Dean of a faculty or Head of a Department. We should take it with every carefulness that it requires."
Central to his address was the call to "walk the talk." Delving into the biblical theme of "Come, labor on," he contrasted the two sons in the parable of Saint Matthew's Gospel - one who promised to work but reneged, and another who refused but later obeyed. This, he said, highlights the bane of modern society where "people want the office, and not the work."
Archbishop Aladekugbe further laid out a framework of essential core values for effective and ethical leadership to include Honesty - the habit of always telling the truth and owning up to one's mistakes; Hard Work - the diligence of leaders, to be seen as industrious and using work hours productively; and Dependability - the ability of leaders to keep their promises and ensure the trust placed in them is not broken.
Other listed frameworks included Respect, Punctuality, Communication, and Professional Conduct, where he called for treating colleagues fairly, arriving on time, communicating clearly, and maintaining a professional demeanour free of gossip.
In conclusion, Archbishop Aladekugbe implored the leaders to see their roles as an opportunity to serve with integrity, translating promises into action and steering the university toward a future of excellence and global recognition. He reminded them that "God values actual obedience and repentance over empty religious promises," a principle that holds true for both the church and the academic world.
The lecture attracted positive responses from participants, as they described it as apt and soul-lifting, which would shape their orientation and approach to work.
