Crawford University formally opened to students on Friday, September  30, 2005. On that day, the students were thrilled to an evening of music. On  Saturday, the students went on a familiarization tour of the campus. The  first Sunday on campus was richly blessed: A student prayed through to  salvation! 

The 235 pioneer students matriculated on December 20, 2005.The Church  today can boast of Crawford University, named after the founder of The Apostolic Faith work, worldwide, Reverend Florence Louise Crawford.  

Brother Paul made the following comments concerning Crawford  University after its first session:  

“We have cause to rejoice and thank God for hitherto He has helped us. The  university has operated for one year and it is now on holiday. There is no  borrowing from any quarters and having cut our coat according to our  cloths, we have been able to localize and minimize our spending. Anything  done in the name of Jesus is always perfectly done. We are not being proud  because of our ownership of a university, but we are thanking God that our  children and other youths will be made to know God and go out to  revolutionize the world. Being God's will, it will succeed and more  wonderful things are about to happen.” 

Rev. P. O. Akazue receiving the Operating Licence of Crawford University  from the former Minister of Education, Mrs Chinwe Obaji in 2005