By Dapo Ipoola

It is often said that academic excellence is a pursuit that lies at the core of education, reflecting the highest standards of achievement and performance in academics. It encompasses many qualities, including intellectual prowess, critical thinking, skills, perseverance, and a thirst for knowledge. Many ivvy leagues in the world have passionately searched for academic excellence by setting achievable short and long term goal which is one of the keys to success, setting actionable objectives and incorporate skills and behaviors like time management, good study plan, progress tracking to reach milestones.

It could also be defined as the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, and/or excel in scholastic activities. It is the maximum development of intellectual capabilities so that one might serve others with specifically developed skills. On the factors that lead to the above discourse, Walberg listed nine crucial factors that influence learning outcomes, including student aptitude and prior success, motivation, age and developmental stage, quantity and quality of instruction, class environment, home environment, and exposure to mass media outside the classroom.

Moved by the appalling and dwindling standard of education in the country, the proprietor of Thomas Adewumi University(Decrown West Africa Company Limited) established the university to provide qualitative education at the primary and secondary school levels. As a passionate educationist, the proprietor’s vision to reposition education started when he founded the Prime Time Nursery and Primary School, which later culminated in Thomas Adewumi International College, TAICO. Known for always churning out responsible and disciplined products, Thomas Adewumi International College was once voted as the Best Post Primary School in Nigeria.

In a quest to further ensure quality education in Nigeria, the founder of TAU in early 2000s approached National University Commission, NUC, to be licensed for the establishment of his own university. Having painstakingly observed due process for the issuance of license, the NUC gave its nod for accreditation for academic activities on the 8th of April, 2021. So far, Thomas Adewumi University has been committed to producing graduates who are equipped with universal values, global perspectives and strong foundation with the sole aim of fostering the development of individuals. The objective of the university was not only limited to producing quality graduates but at the same time prioritize the welfare of the students so as to ensure that the needs of the students are met with conducive and supportive environment for counselling, hostel management and allocation. 

At TAU, new entrants are guaranteed of accomodation on campus within the university’s portfolio of single, double or quadruple-occupancy bedrooms, with the hall of residence that provides a comfortable environment with common rooms, indoor games areas and study rooms for group and individual projects. The students at TAU have unfettered access to a wide range of resources, including a well equipped modern library, 24/7 computer laboratory with a dedicated career services to assist on knotty issues. To further enhance quality delivery, the university community built a 214Kw solar farm which was to serve the institution and the host community, Oko. This feat has in no small measure created an enabling environment and energy distribution to Oko Irese, and Omu-Aran communities. With this energy initiative, the solar farm has given the opportunities for training on energy generation and distribution. Out of the generated 241kw energy, TAU consumes 56kw with the dissipating power of 8-9hours daily, with a reservoir of 80kw battery on standby as backup whenever there is poor radiation.

As a reputable university, TAU offers high-quality academic courses in science, art and humanities, both through Jamb or Direct Entry: Accounting, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminology and Security Studies, Economics, Law, Mass Communication, Mathematics, Medical Laboratory Science, Microbiology, Nursing, Physics Electronics, Physiology, Physiotherapy, and Software Engineering. In a staggering testament to TAU’s quality education, the university emerged as the Nigeria’s fastest growing learning ecosystem in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovations(STEM-i), according to the special 20th Anniversary Edition of the January 2023, Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. 

•Ipoola, a public affairs analyst, lives in llorin.