By Samuel Sunday
The Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Tunji Olowolafe, has urged 10,956 graduating students to prioritize character, discipline, and integrity as they step into life beyond the university.
Speaking at the university’s convocation ceremony held at the Institution’s main auditorium on Saturday, Olowolafe set the tone for the event with a strong message on values, challenging graduates to confront life with discipline and integrity as they transition into a competitive global society, he said.
He described the occasion as a celebration of academic achievements across diploma, degree, and doctoral levels but stressed that true success lies beyond certificates, in the strength of one’s character.
Olowolafe urged the graduates not to shy away from challenges but to embrace them with determination, noting that hard work, humility, and honesty remain essential for long-term success.
Highlighting his contributions to the institution, the chancellor said the Olowolafe Foundation has sponsored 37 lecturers and continues to support academic development, research, and infrastructure growth within the university.
He added that the foundation is driving initiatives aimed at attracting investors, expanding opportunities for staff and students, and positioning EKSU as a globally competitive institution within the next 24 months.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from within and outside Ekiti State, including traditional rulers such as his royal majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, Olowo of the Owo Kingdom; and his royal majesty Ogoga of Ikere, Adejimi Samuel Adu Alagbado, alongside principal officers, members of the Senate, and other stakeholders.
In his address, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council, Akin Oyebode, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence and national development, noting that EKSU is positioning itself as a leader in research, policy innovation, and the production of globally competitive graduates.
Oyebode disclosed that the institution has secured over N210 million annually in 2024 for academic staff development through international conferences and capacity-building programs, driven largely by the chancellor’s support.
Also speaking, the vice-chancellor, Joseph Babatola Ayodele, announced major academic milestones, including full accreditation for 18 programs within one year and the expansion of faculties from 12 to 14.
He noted that EKSU currently runs 97 programs, with 79 accredited, and revealed ongoing international collaborations with institutions such as Royal Holloway University of London to enhance research, staff exchange, and global exposure.
Ayodele further stressed the importance of technology in modern education, warning that universities that fail to embrace digital transformation risk becoming irrelevant in a rapidly evolving global system.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees and celebrated the graduation of 284 diploma students, 10,125 undergraduate students, and 550 postgraduate students.
As the event concluded, the university leadership reiterated a common message to the graduates: while academic success has opened the door, it is character, integrity, and resilience that will sustain their journey in the wider society.
