“Success Goes Beyond Certificates” — EKSU Chancellor Advises Graduating Students

The Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has urged graduating students of the institution to embrace the values of hard work, humility, and integrity, stressing that possessing an academic certificate alone is not enough to guarantee success in life. He gave the charge on Saturday during the university’s 30th convocation ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti, where degrees were awarded to members of the graduating Class of 2026. The event was attended by Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, top government officials, members of the academic community, as well as parents and well-wishers. While addressing the graduates, Dr. Olowolafe encouraged them to look beyond academic achievements and focus on building strong personal values that would guide their choices and help them navigate life’s challenges successfully. He noted that a certificate is only the beginning of one’s journey, emphasizing that true success is shaped by character, discipline, and determination. The Chancellor also called on Nigerian universities to prioritize the continuous development of academic staff, explaining that the quality of education is closely tied to lecturers’ exposure and professional growth. He revealed that the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation has, since 2024, sponsored 37 lecturers from Ekiti State University to attend international conferences across Europe and North America, aimed at strengthening research capacity and fostering global collaboration. He added that this initiative will now be expanded into a structured programme known as the TOF Continuous Learning Ecosystem. Dr. Olowolafe further highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance students’ practical learning and employability, including the establishment of an investment trading room in collaboration with the Department of Finance. According to him, the facility, which is equipped with modern tools that simulate real-world financial markets, has grown into a diploma-awarding programme approved by the university senate and open to students nationwide. In the field of science and engineering, he explained that the foundation has provided a fully equipped geoscience laboratory for the Department of Geology and also supports students’ fieldwork activities. Civil engineering students, he added, are currently undergoing internship placements with a construction firm involved in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. He also disclosed that the foundation has continued its academic excellence reward scheme, granting ₦500,000 each to 200 first-class graduates at the previous convocation ceremony. According to him, the beneficiaries will now be part of a First Class Graduate Club, designed to provide continuous professional development support and access to employment opportunities across various sectors. Dr. Olowolafe further explained that all these initiatives are part of a broader vision to promote lifelong learning and career development through a digital platform that tracks skills, achievements, and professional growth beyond graduation. He concluded by urging the graduating students to see themselves as ambassadors of the university, carrying its values, reputation, and legacy into the wider society. “We did not come this far to stop here, and neither should you,” he added.