Covenant University has reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and holistic human development, producing 371 First Class graduates at its 21st Convocation Ceremony held on Friday at the University Chapel.
The ceremony celebrated a total of 1,843 graduates, comprising 1,655 undergraduates and 188 postgraduate students.
The postgraduate category included 17 doctoral graduates, 146 master’s degree recipients and 25 Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates.
The impressive academic performance saw First Class graduates account for 22.42 per cent of the graduating class, while 926 graduates, representing 55.95 per cent, earned Second Class Upper degrees. Another 345 graduates, representing 20.85 per cent, obtained Second Class Lower degrees, while 13 graduates, representing 0.79 per cent, graduated with Third Class honours.
Miss Etta Queendolin-Effa Emmanuel of the Department of Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, emerged as the best graduating student, recording an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.99.
Addressing the graduating students, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, described the occasion as more than a celebration of the successful completion of academic programmes, noting that it marked the emergence of a new generation of graduates equipped with knowledge, character, competence and a commitment to contributing meaningfully to society.
“This is a defining moment. You have come through years of intellectual engagement, personal discipline, spiritual development and rigorous preparation. Today, you stand ready to take your place in a world that urgently needs innovative thinkers, responsible leaders, problem-solvers and nation builders,” he said.
Professor Anake emphasised that the certificates awarded to the graduates represented more than academic accomplishments, describing them as a call to greater responsibility and impact.
According to him, the world beyond the University would demand not merely the knowledge acquired in the classroom but also the ability to create, solve problems, uphold integrity and deliver value to individuals, organisations and society.
He urged the graduates to demonstrate the quality of their education through the problems they solve, the lives they improve and the standards they uphold as they transition into the next phase of their lives.
The Vice-Chancellor also charged them to remain teachable, continuously develop their capacities and refuse to compromise their integrity in the pursuit of success.
Professor Anake expressed appreciation to the Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo; the Pro-Chancellor, Pastor (Mrs.) Faith Oyedepo; and members of the Board of Regents for their visionary leadership and sustained investment in the University’s mission.
He noted that the Board’s commitment to strengthening academic infrastructure, improving teaching and learning outcomes, supporting research and innovation, and providing a safe and conducive environment for student life remained central to the University’s continued advancement.
“We remain committed to ensuring that every investment translates into measurable improvements in educational quality, student welfare, graduate competence and institutional impact,” he added.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, assuring them that their years of commitment, prayers, encouragement and financial investment had contributed to the development of graduates prepared for professional, personal and societal responsibilities.
On graduate employability, Professor Anake reaffirmed the University’s emphasis on producing graduates whose competencies align with the demands of the workplace and the wider society.
He attributed the strong employability profile of Covenant University graduates, in part, to its leadership development curriculum and the competencies instilled through its educational model.