After years of lectures, examinations, research and personal sacrifices, 3,521 students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, have officially stepped into a new chapter as the institution held its 2025/2026 convocation ceremony.
Among the graduating class was Oluwapelumi Amosu, a female Economics graduate who emerged as the overall best graduating student of the university with an outstanding CGPA of 4.96. In recognition of her academic excellence, she received a ₦10m prize from the institution.
The convocation ceremony celebrated not only academic achievements but also the responsibility of the graduates to apply their knowledge, skills and experiences to solve problems in society.
Delivering the convocation lecture titled “Breaking New Grounds,” Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, charged the graduating students, known as the “Nova Class,” to embrace courage, resilience and innovation as they prepare for life beyond the university.
According to him, academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to guarantee success in today’s competitive world.
“The world does not automatically reward potential. It rewards preparation, value, consistency and the courage to create opportunities. You must demand excellence of yourselves every single day,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu described the name “Nova” as a symbol of a fresh beginning, urging the graduates to see their class identity as a call to create meaningful impact.
“The word Nova is derived from Latin and also refers to a remarkable astronomical event characterised by a sudden burst of extraordinary brightness. Your class name is much more than an identity. It is a philosophy. It is a declaration. It is a prophecy,” he said.
Reflecting on the changing nature of the world, the governor compared his own graduation experience from the University of Lagos in 1988 with the opportunities available to today’s graduates through technology.
He noted that while his generation graduated without the internet, mobile phones, emails and social media, today’s graduates have access to global opportunities at their fingertips.
“Today, you carry the world in your pockets. Information that once required weeks of research is now available in seconds. Opportunities that were once limited by geography are now accessible from almost anywhere,” he said.
The governor, however, stressed that opportunities must be matched with determination and the willingness to continuously develop oneself.
Sharing lessons from his leadership journey, Sanwo-Olu recalled how major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protests, tested his administration and reinforced the importance of resilience, teamwork and seeking expert advice.
“One of the greatest lessons I learned from that experience is this: there is tremendous wisdom in seeking wise counsel. Never assume that you know everything or that you can navigate life’s challenges entirely on your own,” he said.
He also encouraged the graduates not to be discouraged by setbacks, describing failures as opportunities for growth and preparation for future success.
“There will be disruptions. There will be disappointments. There will be setbacks. There will also be moments of triumph. Whenever you fall, rise again,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to use the knowledge and skills acquired during their academic journey to make positive contributions to the world.
Ojewole assured that the university would continue to prioritise innovation, investment and policies aimed at strengthening its impact and producing graduates capable of competing globally.
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