For the 7,684 students who graduated from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on February 7, 2026, convocation was more than a celebration — it was a moment that reflected how far the institution itself has come.
At its 10th Convocation Ceremony, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, delivered a stewardship address outlining what he described as five years of transformation since assuming office in 2021.
Under his leadership, FUOYE has grown into one of the most sought-after universities in Nigeria, ranking as the fourth most subscribed institution among admission seekers.
“Our achievements are encapsulated in the 20-point agenda and transformation blueprint for FUOYE, which we have diligently implemented since I assumed office in 2021,” Fasina said.
One of the most visible changes has been academic expansion.
The number of faculties increased from eight to 18, alongside the creation of new departments and accreditation of several programmes.
Student enrolment also surged — from about 20,000 to over 60,000 within five
years.
Across the Oye and Ikole campuses, infrastructure development has accelerated, most notably through what Fasina described as the “Blue Roof Revolution” — a series of modern buildings with distinctive blue roofing that now shape the university’s skyline.
Beyond physical growth, the university recorded improvements in staff and student output, as well as a 310 per cent rise in Internally Generated Revenue, according to related disclosures.
With his tenure ending next week, Fasina expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the university’s Visitor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.
He also congratulated his successor, Professor Joshua Ogunwale.
“As a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, you are already part of our success story. I am confident that FUOYE is in steady hands under your leadership,” Fasina said.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, commended the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the education sector and acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Education, NUC, JAMB, TETFund, NELFund, the Ekiti State Government, host communities, and parents.
Delivering the convocation lecture, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church praised the university’s resilience and congratulated the graduating students for being found worthy in learning and character.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on prominent Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Oluwole Adugbole III; and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Among the 7,684 graduates were 7,396 undergraduates — including 131 First Class graduates — and 288 postgraduate students.
Notably, this convocation produced FUOYE’s first set of law graduates, who are expected to proceed to the Nigerian Law School in September.
FUOYE’s latest convocation reflects more than numbers. It tells the story of a relatively young federal university expanding rapidly in size, structure and reputation — while preparing a new generation of graduates to step into the next phase of their journey.
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