CAC commits to sustaining original vision of JABU as faith-based tertiary institution

Samuel Oladele, the president of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), has reiterated the church’s commitment to sustain the original vision of the founding fathers of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), as a functional faith-based tertiary institution.

Oladele made this known during the 20th anniversary of the institution themed, ‘Two Decades of Divine Grace, Growth and Glory,’ where he described the establishment of JABU, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, as a product of prayer, planning, consultation, sacrifice and institutional discipline.

As the university marks its 20th anniversary, Oladele expressed confidence in the institution’s commitment to academic learning and character formation, and continued development, with entrepreneurship, professional competence and service remaining central to its stated educational mission.

Oladele also highlighted the church’s financial commitment to sustaining the university with N30 million monthly subventions for its operations. He disclosed that the monthly subventions moved from N20 million to N30 million monthly.

According to him, the university was expected to continue developing beyond its dependence on monthly financial support, expressing optimism about its future prospects as a faith-based tertiary institution.

The CAC president Oladele also emphasised that JABU was designed not merely to award academic degrees but to combine formal education with enterprise, professional competence, character and service. “Its entrepreneurial orientation reflects the conviction that graduates should be prepared not only to seek opportunities but also to create them.”

According to him, the emphasis on entrepreneurship reflects an approach to higher education that seeks to equip graduates with skills to identify opportunities, develop enterprises and contribute to economic activity beyond conventional employment.

Oladele commended the university’s management, members of CAC in Nigeria and abroad, the host community and other supporters for contributing to the institution’s development over the past two decades. He also noted the significance of Ikeji-Arakeji as the university’s host community, linking the location to the prophetic call of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in October 1928.

Oladele recalled that a planning and implementation committee was inaugurated on January 31, 2002, under the chairmanship of Professor A. M. A. Imevbore to undertake the work of establishing an institution capable of meeting regulatory requirements and serving future generations.

According to Oladele, the university was established as part of CAC’s determination to contribute to society beyond its spiritual ministry by promoting knowledge, character development, leadership and human capacity development.

Oladele explained that the church initially lacked the financial resources required to establish the institution but continued to pursue the project through faith and commitment. “When Christ Apostolic Church had nothing, we didn’t have any impact on this project at all. But what we see is a faith-based institution.”