Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has celebrated the graduation of 3,521 students at its 24th Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony, with 306 graduates earning First Class honours across various academic disciplines.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the university’s Leadership and Service Award to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in recognition of what the institution described as his exemplary leadership and contributions to governance.
Among the graduating class, Miss Oluwapelumi Amosu of the Veronica Adeleke School of Social Sciences emerged as the overall best graduating student after recording an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96.
Her academic excellence, leadership qualities, commitment to community service and spiritual contributions earned her the President and Senior Vice President’s Prize, alongside several other honours. She also received cash awards, including a ₦10 million prize from the Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Program (SEPP).
Delivering the convocation lecture titled “Break New Grounds,” Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the graduating students to pursue excellence through resilience, faith and continuous self-development, stressing that success is built on competence rather than entitlement.
“The world will not give you what you believe you deserve. The world will only give you what you become known for being,” he told the graduating class.
The governor described the Class of 2026 as young professionals entering a rapidly evolving global environment, noting that while the university had equipped them academically, their future would depend on how effectively they applied their knowledge and skills.
Reflecting on his own graduation in 1988, Sanwo-Olu contrasted the limited technological opportunities of that era with today’s digital landscape, encouraging the graduates to maximize the advantages provided by modern technology.
“You have the world at your fingertips. You have access to information that was unimaginable in our time. Make the best use of it and do not waste the opportunities before you,” he said.
He also encouraged the graduates to approach uncertainty with confidence and faith, reminding them that setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up.
Drawing from his personal experience, the governor recounted unsuccessful business ventures he pursued shortly after leaving university, including an attempt to establish a plumbing services company before mobile technology made such businesses practical.
According to him, those disappointments became valuable lessons in innovation, perseverance and timing.
“The more you try and fail, the more you build the capacity to succeed. Failure is never the end; sometimes it is preparing you for something greater,” he said.
He advised the graduates to remain adaptable, embrace lifelong learning and position themselves for opportunities emerging from technological advancement and the changing global economy.
Earlier, the university’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, reaffirmed Babcock University’s commitment to strengthening its global competitiveness through research, innovation and industry-focused education.
He highlighted the institution’s progress in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing it as a major milestone in the university’s international development.
According to Ojewole, Babcock advanced from reporter status in 2024 to an unranked institution in 2025 before securing a place in the 1501+ band in the 2026 rankings. He added that the university is now jointly ranked 11th among Nigeria’s 24 ranked universities.
The Vice-Chancellor said higher education institutions must continually evolve to meet the demands of a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, technological innovation and changing workforce requirements.
“Our world is changing at an extraordinary pace. Universities can no longer afford to prepare students merely for today’s realities; they must prepare them for opportunities and challenges that have not yet emerged,” he said.
Addressing the graduating students, Ojewole reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to their success.
“You are the reason we exist. Every classroom we build, every laboratory we equip, every policy we formulate and every investment we make is ultimately about preparing you to become competent professionals, principled leaders and responsible global citizens,” he said.
