By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AFTER YEARS navigating academic hurdles, students often dream of the moment they would finally bid campus life goodbye.
That moment arrived in full colour at Ekiti State University, where hope mingled with pride as 15,961 graduates celebrated a defining chapter in the institution’s 29th convocation ceremony.
Held on 31 March 2025, the historic event—EKSU’s largest ever as announced by the Pro-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele—transformed Ado-Ekiti’s academic heartland into a vibrant canvas of achievement, music, and unforgettable memories.
From the Faculty of Engineering to the Social Sciences, students in flowing academic robes crossed the dais one by one—each name called, reflect a story of resilience and resolve.
Among the proud graduates stood 200 First-Class degree holders, whose academic records spoke volumes, alongside thousands more who earned Second-Class and Third-Class honours. All of them applauded with cheers from proud parents and well-wishers all dressed in their best outfits to express relief that their investments were paying off for good at the end of it all.
In his ceremonial address, Pro-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele celebrated not just the numbers but the narrative behind them.
“This convocation reflects more than achievement—it reflects grit, vision, and the enduring spirit of this university,” he declared to an audience that included state dignitaries and federal legislators.
Ekit State Governor Biodun Oyebanji stood at the podium, his message laced with admiration and challenge.
“You have conquered this mountain,” he told the graduates. “But your journey begins anew. Let creativity guide your path, and courage define your steps.”
His words resonated, particularly among those who had juggled studies with personal sacrifice.
Then, the crowd rose to its feet when Falowo Emmanuel Oyindamola was announced as the best graduating student. From Electrical Engineering, he earned a remarkable CGPA of 4.89.
“Discipline, focus, and my father’s constant encouragement carried me,” Oyindamola shared, emotion thick in his voice. His achievement stood as a huge inspiration to the next generation of scholars in the institution.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Akin Oyebode, also acknowledged the shifting landscape beyond university walls.
“The future belongs to those who can think beyond boundaries,” he urged. “Let the world know EKSU didn’t just educate you—we empowered you,” he charged the students.
EKSU’s commitment to progress also extended far beyond ceremony as Governor Oyebanji pledged a ₦150 million monthly increase in university subvention, bringing the total to ₦410 million.
“Education remains our administration’s cornerstone,” he affirmed, pledging full salary payments and institutional growth.
Academic expansion also took centre stage as five new undergraduate programmes were unveiled: Public Administration, Criminology, Social Work, Intelligence and Social Security Studies, and Mass Communication. EKSU also launched its Doctor of Pharmacy programme, following accreditation championed by Prince Julius Adeluyi.
With 86 out of 96 programmes now fully accredited, EKSU’s reputation continues to soar, noted some of the exciting graduating students.
The university proudly ranks 12th among Nigeria’s 275 institutions—a feat echoed in staff promotions that saw six new professors, five readers, and 40 academic appointments at the event.
Beyond the classroom, infrastructure investments painted a future rich with promise as Senator Opeyemi Bamidele funded a state-of-the-art campus radio station, while Prof. Kunle Ajayi’s moot court brought legal theory to life for Law students.
“These aren’t just buildings—they’re bridges to excellence,” said Prof. Oyebode, highlighting the university’s vision for experiential learning.
Also, from every corner of the campus, from the loud cheers to quiet tears, students at EKSU’s convocation admitted to JKNewsMedia that it offered them more than just a few hours of celebration.
To this reporter, who was also a graduand, “it offered a glimpse into the future of education in Nigeria, powered by ambition, investment, and the human stories behind every degree.”
