A total of 183 doctoral candidates were formally hooded on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, during the 15th Postgraduate/Hooding Convocation Ceremony of Babcock University, marking another milestone in the institution’s commitment to advanced scholarship and research.
Among the newly minted doctors are the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, and his Chief of Staff, Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo,and Clemson Ayegbusi of the U.S. Department of State, Lagos State.
The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, members of the National Assembly, commissioners, members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, and traditional rulers.
A total of 665 postgraduate students graduated during the ceremony, comprising 70 recipients of postgraduate diplomas, 391 master’s degree graduates, 21 Master of Philosophy (MPhil) graduates and 183 PhD recipients.
Addressing the gathering, the President/Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, urged Nigerians, particularly the graduands, to actively participate in the democratic process by registering and voting during elections.
He said, “Go and register and vote. Do your civic duties. Do not complain about bad governance if you fail to contribute,” stressing that citizens have a responsibility to shape the quality of governance through active civic engagement.
Ojewole also reflected on the remarkable growth of the institution over the years, noting that Babcock University has occupied its current site for 67 years.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for approving and presenting the institution with its Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), describing the gesture as a significant boost to its long-term development plans.
Speaking on the university’s expansion, the VC said Babcock has outgrown its original campus and is rapidly extending its facilities to the opposite side of the community.
According to him, the expansion includes the College of Pharmacy, Radiology Department, Accident and Emergency Centre, a 240-bed teaching hospital, and an emerging health sciences campus.
However, he raised concerns over the road separating the existing and new campuses, appealing to the state government to take the separating road to another route in the town so that the new campus in front of the existing campus could be merged together as one campus.
Congratulating the doctoral graduates, Ojewole said the achievement represented years of rigorous research, resilience and commitment to advancing knowledge.
He urged them to view the doctorate as a call to greater responsibility rather than merely an academic accomplishment.
“A doctorate is not simply about accumulating knowledge. It is about developing the discipline to seek truth with integrity, the humility to keep learning and the wisdom to use knowledge for the good of others,” he said.
He encouraged the graduates to continue seeking solutions to societal challenges, mentor younger scholars, and ensure that their research remains relevant to humanity.
Speaking, Governor Abiodun turned down the request of the vice chancellor to regarding the road separating the main campus from another campus facing the main campus.
The governor explained, “I have listened to the request of the president/Vice Chancellor, Prof Oliver Twist Ohewole. I have christened him Oliver Twist because before you all, he testified to all what the state government has done for Babcock University. Today, he made a request concerning this road, which he said divides the campus into two. And I said to him, Professor Ojewole, that road has existed before I was born. And I am sure Babcock University is not as old as I am. He said, indeed, Babcock University is older than you. I said is that so? He said it was established in 1959, and I said to him, as a university? He said no, but as a seminary. In any case, let me assure the university that we are extremely proud of the performance and the contribution of this university, particularly, your contribution to human capacity development, and we will continue to do everything to support the university’s growth”
Delivering a commencement address titled “Breaking New Grounds,” Governor Abiodun emphasised that the global economy is shifting from a job-seeking model to a skills-and-innovation-driven ecosystem where character and adaptability often outweigh paper qualifications.
Governor Abiodun noted that while degrees represent years of discipline and research, the modern world demands a radical redefinition of education. “Universities prepare people not only for employment but also for responsible citizenship and graceful leadership,” he stated.
He argued that in a rapidly transforming global economy, the true value of advanced education lies in the ability to translate ideas into sustainable institutions and public value rather than merely securing a corporate salary.
Addressing the disruption caused by emerging technologies, the governor noted that humanity is living through a consequential era driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and digital innovation. However, he cautioned that technological advancement without ethical grounding is dangerous.
Abiodun noted, “Artificial Intelligence can process information with astonishing speed, recognize patterns, and solve problems. However, AI cannot replace integrity, compassion, moral responsibility, or ethical judgment. The future belongs not only to those who master technology but to those who unite innovation with integrity.”
To underscore his support for academic excellence, Governor Abiodun announced cash donations totaling N14.5 million to seven overall best-performing graduates across various levels.
The recipients included Deborah Segun-Adeniran, the overall best PhD graduate, who received N2.5 million. The overall best Professional Master’s graduates, Ayotundun Ojelabi and Bodunrin Osikomaiya; MPhil graduate; and MBA graduate received N2 million each and N1.5 million, respectively. Additionally, N1.5 million was awarded to the overall best Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) student and N2.5 million to the overall best undergraduate student..
The 15th Postgraduate Hooding Ceremony celebrated the academic achievements of the new doctoral graduates while also highlighting Babcock University’s continued investment in higher education, healthcare, and community development.
