…Honours DIG Kokomo, Prof. Salawudeen, Chief Karim with Doctorate Degrees
The atmosphere was charged with celebration, pride, and accomplishment on Saturday as Crescent University, Abeokuta, held its 17th Convocation Ceremony, marking two decades of academic excellence and moral reformation.
The event, held inside the prestigious Bola Ajibola Auditorium, was attended by dignitaries, scholars, parents, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the institution’s achievements and its latest set of graduates.
A total of 718 students received their degrees across various disciplines for the 2024/2025 academic session, including the first set of Nursing graduates, while 117 students bagged Master’s degrees. Notably, 69 students graduated with First-Class Honours, underscoring Crescent University’s reputation for producing high-achieving, disciplined, and globally competitive graduates.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, in his convocation address, congratulated the graduating students and described the milestone as a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience. He charged them to approach life’s challenges with courage and integrity, saying their degrees should serve as “life jackets” that will keep them afloat through life’s uncertainties.
“We do not compromise quality, therefore priority is given to ensure high quality of our programmes leading to full accreditation. We shall continue in our international best practice in all academic activities thereby making our university 21st century compliant in all ramifications “, he maintained.
He announced that the university had maintained full accreditation for all its academic programmes including Law, Nursing, Computer Science, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Architecture, and Political Science while assuring stakeholders of continued expansion in both scope and quality.
Highlighting the institution’s recognition of excellence, the convocation also featured the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on three distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to humanity and national development.
The honourees were former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Johnson Kokomo (Doctor of Science, Political Science and International Studies), Prof. Ahmed Bin Salawudeen (Doctor of Science, Business Administration), and Chief Orikolade Karim (Doctor of Science, Business Administration).
Speaking at the event, the Proprietor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Prince Muhammed Adesegun Ajibola, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the university, pledging sustained investments in infrastructure, student welfare, and sustainability.
He revealed that the institution has diversified its energy sources through solar power and alternative water systems, while also revitalizing several productive ventures such as Fisheries, Adire (Tie & Dye), and Bakery projects to enhance revenue and service delivery.
“Our ambition in the short to medium term is to have an institution that is least impacted by the dysfunctions of the larger society. It is for this reason, for instance, that we have diversified the sources of water and electricity for our growing community. Our solar power programme is on course and we hope to make a success of it by the grace of God”Prince Ajibola assured.
The Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, commended the management for sustaining the noble legacy of the university’s late founder, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), whose vision birthed the institution two decades ago.
He described Crescent University as a beacon of moral and intellectual excellence in Nigeria’s private education sector.
Prof. Gambari praised the institution’s Nursing programme, which has recorded a 100% pass rate in professional examinations six consecutive times, and applauded the success of its alumni who have secured placements in top organisations, including the BBC, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Federal Inland Revenue Service.
He also celebrated Habeeb Ganiyu, the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Bola Ajibola College of Law, for his numerous national and international academic awards, as well as other outstanding students like Mujeebat Idris, who recently won the PSSG National Essay Competition.
However, the Chancellor expressed concern over the rising operational costs confronting private universities, revealing that Crescent University’s electricity bill had jumped from ₦1 million to over ₦20 million monthly.
He called on the Federal Government to include private universities in TETFUND interventions and extend research grants to them across all six geo-political zones.
Attention of government must be drawn to the challenges private universities encounter on daily basis. For instance, our monthly electricity bill alone at crescent University, which used to be around One Million Naira two years ago, is now over N20m. This is in addition to the provision of security, solar, constant water supply, internet and WiFi subscription, library resources and several overheads. It is the responsibility of the constituted authority to ensure that private universities survive for the good of the society”
“I charge the Federal Government to include private universities in TETFUND. It should find ways and means to support private universities through competitive research grants and ensuring that such support is spread accross the six geo-political zones in the country”, Prof. Gambari pleaded.
The event also featured the formal presentation of degrees to the graduating class of 2025, the conferment of honorary doctorates on the distinguished awardees, and the recognition of outstanding scholars.
