Babcock University, located in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, has celebrated its 21st undergraduate and 12th postgraduate convocation ceremony on Sunday, during which a total of 136 first-class degree holders graduated among 2,648 gtaduating students.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Ademola Tayo, delivered an inspiring address, proudly announcing that out of the total figure, 2,065 undergraduates received their diplomas and degrees, while 415 students successfully completed their postgraduate studies.
One noteworthy aspect of the convocation was the commendable performance of the graduands. A total of 136 students achieved the prestigious First Class honors, marking their exceptional academic excellence. Among them, Nancy Philip and Ngozi Oluwatayo stood out as the best, achieving remarkable Cumulative Gradient Point Averages (CGPAs) of 4.95 and 4.51, respectively. Ms. Philip excelled in the full-time programme, while Ms. Oluwatayo attained her accomplishments in the part-time degree programme.
The convocation also received recognition from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory agency for universities in Nigeria. The NUC used this occasion to encourage academic institutions across the country to adapt and evolve to meet the ever-shifting demands of society, particularly in the dynamic landscape of higher education.
During the ceremony, Babcock University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo, expressed immense pride in the institution’s achievements and its unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds. He acknowledged the foresight and dedication of the university’s promoters in ensuring its sustainability and impact on students’ lives.
In terms of academic offerings, Babcock University has come a long way since its establishment in 1999. Over the past 21 years, the institution has developed and offered an impressive range of 40 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Furthermore, all of these programmes have received accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the International Board of Education (IBE), and the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) in the USA.
The institution has also excelled in the medical field, with its Family and Community Medicine programme receiving a five-year full accreditation status from the West African College of Physicians and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Moreover, Babcock University’s medical graduates have demonstrated their brilliance, with 12 of them achieving distinctions in their final Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) examination. Belusochi Joe-Ikechebelu, in particular, stood out as the overall best medical graduate, earning the prestigious Best Graduating Medical Student Award.
The ceremony had the honor of hosting esteemed dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, Liberia’s Education Minister, Dao Sonii, and John Olajide, CEO of an American-based firm, Axxess, among others. These prominent figures commended the university’s management for maintaining high standards and consistency in transforming the narrative of university education in Nigeria and Africa.
The NUC’s Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, who attended the event on behalf of the agency, highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing university education in the country. He emphasize the implementation of policies aimed at promoting infrastructure development, funding cutting-edge research, and prioritising the welfare of faculty and students in higher education institutions. He also praised Babcock University’s role in fostering entrepreneurial minds, citing successful ventures such as Paystack, a global financial technology platform, founded by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, both graduates of the university.
