Alumni of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, have advised the institution’s 2026 graduating class to prioritise skills acquisition alongside their academic degrees, stressing that adaptability, technological proficiency and entrepreneurial abilities are key to thriving in today’s competitive world.
The advice was given on Monday during the university’s career and education fair held at the institution’s amphitheatre.
Several alumni who spoke at the event urged students to leverage practical competencies such as ICT, artificial intelligence, and public speaking to complement their academic qualifications.
A 2006 nursing graduate, Caleb Aromah, emphasised the need for students to strengthen their digital skills to remain competitive in the job market.
Aromah, who works with the MasterCard Foundation, also encouraged the graduating students to remain resilient, diligent and focused as they transition into life after university.
“It usually breaks my heart when I am conducting interviews for job seekers, and many of them are without ICT skills. How do you leverage a world that is now technology-driven to stay competitive and build an excellent career for yourself?” he said.
Also speaking, a 2015 Computer Science graduate of the university, Amanda Dara-Afolabi, urged the students not to be anxious about the future but to remain confident, explore opportunities and break new ground.
The Associate President of Alumni, Connectivity and Philanthropy, Jonathan Dangana, said the programme was organised to prepare students for realities beyond the university environment.
“Sometimes what you have documented that you want to be may not be it again. You may not eventually practice what you studied. We have brought these alumni to share real-life experience and insights with you,” he said.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at ensuring graduates remain responsible, impactful in nation-building and better equipped to tackle unemployment challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Afolarin Ojewole, also urged the students to combine academic knowledge with practical skills to become globally relevant graduates.
“Your degree is quite important, but it may not necessarily open the door. It is not just your degree that will make way for you, but also your skills,” he said, encouraging the students to develop talents that can create opportunities.
Ojewole further stressed the need for graduates to be ethical, professional and entrepreneurial, urging them to be research-focused and data-driven.
“We are determined to raise alumni who are globally relevant and who will create wealth rather than just wait for paychecks,” he added.
Also speaking, the university’s Vice President for Advancement and Development, Olaniyi Arije, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining high standards of academic excellence and research for societal impact.
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