Adebayo Adenrele
The Vice Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), Professor Andrew Babatunde Omojola has disclosed that a total of 1,645 students would be graduating during the second convocation ceremony of the Institution with 60 of them earning First Class Honours.
The Vice Chancellor stated this in Ikere-Ekiti while addressing journalists as part of the activities heralding the second convocation ceremony of the Institution.
According to him, 563 students will graduate with Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 854 with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), while 168 will graduate with Third Class Honours.
The Vice Chancellor said activities continue on Tuesday with a football match between male lecturers and male students, setting the tone for a lively day of engagement.
On Wednesday, attention shifts to entertainment as the Students’ Variety Show takes center stage, alongside a convocation drama designed to showcase creativity within the university community.
Thursday’s programme will feature a special gathering for alumni who have passed through the corridors of the university in the last five years.
Later in the evening, members of staff will unwind at a reception with the Vice-Chancellor while distinguished sons and daughters of the institution will be honoured as Waste Ambassadors in recognition of their contributions.
On Friday, the university will pay tribute to its former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Adeoluwa in a morning session followed in the afternoon by a humanitarian service and other scheduled activities.
The highlight of the day will be the convocation ceremony, to be held at the Multipurpose Hall, where degrees will be formally conferred on graduating students on Saturday, 18th April, 2026.
His words, “The greatest challenge we have is the physical infrastructure of the university and inadequate funding. The Governor we have is a lover of education and excellence. He is a man who keeps to his word whenever he makes a promise.
“As challenges come, we try to excel so that we can do greater things. Since the last convocation ceremony, the University has recorded remarkable achievements, among which are:
“The construction of a Multipurpose Hall, enhancing our capacity for academic and social engagements.
“The establishment of the College of Postgraduate Studies, with the National Universities Commission already conducting resource verification for our proposed postgraduate programmes.
“The successful delivery of seven Inaugural Lectures, underscoring our vibrant intellectual culture.
“The creation of a solar-powered Technology Hub with 24-hour free internet access, promoting digital learning and innovation.
“The establishment of BOUESTI Academic Journals, providing a platform for scholarly dissemination.
“An impressive outing at the 27th NUGA Games, where the University won 4 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, placing 14th out of 97 universities.
“One of our students, Miss Phebe Oluwalade, proudly represented Nigeria at the Africa Under-18 Handball Championship, bringing honour to the institution.
“Outstanding performance in various entrepreneurial competitions, showcasing the ingenuity of our students.
“These achievements clearly demonstrate that BOUESTI is not only growing but excelling across multiple fronts. It is also instructive to note that since its establishment in 2020 and the first matriculation ceremony held in 2021 with a modest student population of 2,401, BOUESTI has witnessed a geometric increase in enrolment, which now stands at an impressive 22,994 students.
“This remarkable growth underscores the rising confidence in the University and affirms its reputation as one of the fastest-growing state universities in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, since assuming office on January 6, 2026, we have continued to consolidate on these gains with focused and strategic interventions:
“The resuscitation of the University Farm, including the successful brooding of 1,200 birds to maturity.
“The establishment of a yoghurt production unit at the BOUESTI Water Factory, with additional initiatives underway to boost internally generated revenue.
“Sustained efforts at building trust and fostering dialogue through regular interactions with staff and students.
“The installation of smart school facilities, designed to deliver seamless and extended internet services across the campus, alongside plans for the construction of a Digital Resource Centre to support a robust Learning Management System.
“A significant number of our students have benefited from the NELFUND scheme, following an extensive awareness campaign by the University. Through deliberate sensitization efforts, we have ensured that our students are well-informed about the opportunities and financial support available under the scheme, thereby enhancing access to education and reducing financial barriers”.
