Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has rewarded its overall best graduating student, Amosu Oluwapelumi, with cash prizes exceeding ₦10 million as it graduated 3,521 students during its 24th undergraduate convocation ceremony.
The convocation, held on Sunday at the university’s multipurpose stadium, marked the largest graduating class in the institution’s history.
A total of 306 students graduated with First Class honours, while more than 30 others earned distinctions across the university’s full-time and part-time programmes.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, used the occasion to unveil the institution’s five-year strategic development plan, known as the G.R.A.C.E. Agenda, which is aimed at strengthening Babcock’s position as a globally competitive, research-focused, entrepreneurial and Adventist-centred university.
Ojewole said the university had embarked on major investments in digital technology, security, infrastructure and research to enhance academic excellence and improve students’ learning experience.
According to him, the institution recently commissioned a Security Operations Tower, expanded its surveillance infrastructure and deployed four drones to boost campus security and emergency response capabilities.
He also disclosed that Babcock had introduced smart classrooms, modern alarm systems and an extensive digital transformation programme designed to improve teaching, research and administrative efficiency.
“These investments are not cosmetic. They are strategic because excellence requires an environment where students, faculty and visitors can work with confidence and peace of mind,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
He added that the university had also improved electricity supply, upgraded hostel facilities and strengthened collaborations with universities and organisations in the United States, South Africa and Europe.
Ojewole further noted that Babcock was intensifying research in artificial intelligence, reviewing its academic curriculum, promoting entrepreneurship and expanding strategic partnerships to equip graduates with globally relevant skills.
Delivering the convocation lecture, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the graduating students to reject mediocrity and resist what he described as the growing glorification of ignorance in society.
He encouraged them to become ethical leaders, innovative thinkers and problem-solvers capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
The university’s Chancellor, in his address, expressed appreciation to the federal government, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, members of staff, alumni, parents and development partners for their continued support towards the institution’s growth.
He urged the new graduates to uphold integrity, embrace lifelong learning and regard their graduation as the beginning of greater responsibility rather than the conclusion of their educational journey.
Speaking after receiving the cash awards worth more than ₦10 million, the overall best graduating student attributed her outstanding academic performance to discipline and consistency.
She advised fellow graduates to pursue excellence through daily commitment rather than occasional extraordinary efforts.
“Think of excellence not as one extraordinary thing, but as tiny ordinary decisions made every day. It’s not that one day you wake up and you’ll be able to pull off a 24-hour reading binge. You just have to be dedicated and consistent,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor, Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo; the Onisan of Ilishan; the wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; the Onirolo of Irolo, Oba Sikiru Adenuga; members of the university’s Governing Council, management, alumni, parents and other guests.
