Firdaus Obiremi
Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, will graduate 324 students at its 8th convocation ceremony, with 69 graduands from its regular academic programmes and distance learning centre earning First Class honours.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the convocation scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the institution’s marquee.
According to the vice-chancellor, 281 students graduated from the university’s regular academic programmes, while 43 others completed their studies through the Centre for Distance Learning and Executive Programmes.
Of the 281 graduands from the regular programmes, 53 obtained First Class honours, representing 18.9 per cent, while 142, or 50.5 per cent, earned Second Class Upper Division degrees.
Another 78 graduands, representing 27.8 per cent, obtained Second Class Lower Division degrees, while eight students, or 2.8 per cent, graduated with Third Class honours.
The distance learning centre recorded an even higher proportion of First Class graduates, with 16 of its 43 graduands, representing 37.2 per cent, achieving the distinction.
Nineteen students from the centre obtained Second Class Upper Division degrees, while eight earned Second Class Lower Division degrees.
The convocation lecture will be delivered by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
The lecture, titled “Beyond the Degree: Next-Generation Leadership, Innovation and Impact in a Changing World,” is expected to examine the role of education, innovation and leadership in preparing graduates for emerging global challenges.
Speaking on the significance of the ceremony, Arulogun said the university was committed to producing graduates who could translate academic knowledge into practical solutions to societal problems.
She said the institution’s 2026 convocation theme, “Next-Gen Minds. Next-Level Impact,” reflected its determination to equip students with the knowledge, character, creativity and practical skills required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to her, the rapidly changing global environment, driven by artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship and emerging socioeconomic challenges, requires universities to prepare students for more than the acquisition of academic certificates.
She said, “The more important question is, ‘What can our graduates do with what they know?’ At Chrisland University, we believe that knowledge must ultimately translate into impact.”
Arulogun added that a university degree should serve as a foundation for innovation, responsible leadership and problem-solving rather than an end in itself.
She noted that employers and society increasingly expected graduates to demonstrate practical competence, integrity, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities in a competitive environment.
A breakdown of the results showed that the College of Management and Social Sciences recorded 103 graduands, comprising 17 First Class recipients, 44 Second Class Upper Division graduates, 37 Second Class Lower Division graduates and five Third Class recipients.
The College of Natural and Applied Sciences produced 70 graduands, including 10 First Class recipients, 28 Second Class Upper Division graduates, 29 Second Class Lower Division graduates and three Third Class recipients.
Similarly, the College of Business and Management Sciences recorded 55 graduands, with nine obtaining First Class honours, 39 earning Second Class Upper Division degrees and seven graduating with Second Class Lower Division degrees.
The Nursing programme produced 53 graduands, including 17 First Class recipients, 31 Second Class Upper Division graduates and five Second Class Lower Division graduates.
The university will also present prizes and awards to outstanding students in recognition of academic excellence, leadership, innovation and service.
Arulogun attributed the graduands’ achievements to their hard work and perseverance, as well as the contributions of parents, guardians, lecturers and other members of the university community.
The vice-chancellor said the university was strengthening its academic programmes to align with national development priorities and the changing demands of the labour market.
She explained that the institution’s expansion strategy was guided by quality, relevance and sustainability rather than simply increasing student enrolment.
According to her, health and allied health education remain important areas of focus, with the university seeking to contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare workforce by producing professionals who combine scientific knowledge with compassion, professionalism and community service.
On research, Arulogun said the institution was encouraging academics to develop solutions to practical challenges, stressing that research should go beyond publications to influence policy, improve public health, strengthen communities and support industrial development.
She added that entrepreneurship and innovation were being promoted to prepare students not only to seek employment but also to establish businesses, create opportunities and generate jobs for others.
The vice-chancellor also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in education and the workplace.
She said the university was committed to equipping students with the skills to use such technologies productively while understanding their ethical implications.
“Our responsibility is therefore to ensure that students understand emerging technologies, know how to use them productively and, equally importantly, understand their ethical implications,” she said.
Arulogun further disclosed that the institution would continue to invest in infrastructure to support teaching, learning, accommodation, security and technology as its academic programmes and student population expanded.
She, however, warned that academic knowledge without integrity could be dangerous, emphasising that the university intended to produce graduates distinguished by moral values, responsible leadership and a strong sense of humanity.
According to her, the institution’s vision is to produce graduates who combine knowledge with character, competence with compassion, technology with humanity, ambition with responsibility, and innovation with integrity.
She also identified partnerships, research collaborations and academic networks as essential to strengthening the university’s national reputation and international visibility.
Arulogun maintained that institutional reputation was built through quality teaching, credible research, excellent graduates, productive partnerships and demonstrable contributions to society.
The week-long programme will feature professional induction ceremonies, a convocation dinner and awards night, the conferment of degrees and a thanksgiving service.
Activities began on Tuesday, October 20, with the induction of public health graduands at the university auditorium.
The induction of medical laboratory science graduands is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, while nursing and midwifery graduands will be inducted on Thursday, October 22.
Physiotherapy graduands will have their induction on Friday, October 23, while the convocation dinner and awards night will hold on Sunday, October 25, at the university marquee.
The induction of computer science graduands is scheduled for Monday, October 26, ahead of the main convocation ceremony and conferment of degrees on Tuesday, October 27.
The programme will conclude with a thanksgiving and dedication service on Wednesday, October 28.
Inviting parents, guardians, alumni, university partners and members of the public to the ceremony, Arulogun said the convocation represented more than the celebration of academic achievements.
She described it as an affirmation of confidence in a new generation of Nigerians equipped to contribute to leadership, innovation and public service.
The vice-chancellor expressed optimism that graduates equipped with knowledge, character, creativity and courage would be better positioned to contribute to national development and respond to the demands of an increasingly technology-driven world.
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