Osun: Kings varsity graduates 83, secures full accreditation for programmes

Kings University, Odeomu, Osun, has graduated 83 students at its 7th and 8th combined convocation, with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Kuku, announcing that all academic programmes currently offered by the institution have secured full accreditation.

Kuku disclosed this on Thursday during the combined convocation ceremony, where she highlighted the university’s progress in research, entrepreneurship, staff development and international academic collaborations.

She added that two newly matured programmes would be presented for accreditation in the coming weeks.

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The Vice-Chancellor said the graduands comprised the Nolan Class of 2025 and the Invicta Class of 2026, describing the ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and assess the university’s progress in fulfilling its mandate of developing leaders and transforming minds.

She named Femi-Gbenoba Ethel of the Department of Information Systems and Technology as the overall best graduating student from the 2025 set, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.95, while Ajibade Anuoluwatomiwa Deborah of the Department of Biochemistry emerged as the best graduating student from the 2026 set with a CGPA of 4.58.

Kuku said the university was implementing the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) across its programmes to keep its curriculum relevant and aligned with national and international educational expectations.

She added that plans were underway to introduce more industry-relevant programmes to equip graduates with skills needed in the changing employment market.

On research and innovation, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had established an Interdisciplinary Thematic Research Cluster to encourage collaboration among faculties and strengthen its capacity to attract competitive research grants.

She also disclosed that the institution had secured 10 enterprise activation codes for SnapGenius, an artificial intelligence-powered research platform valued at approximately $5,000, to support literature reviews, data analysis and manuscript preparation.

Kuku further highlighted the university’s growing participation in international research and academic networks, noting that members of staff had secured research fellowships and opportunities in Japan, the United States and Spain.

According to her, the institution was also investing in staff training, digital skills, entrepreneurship and student career development to improve academic delivery and graduate employability.

She said the university’s entrepreneurship programmes had enabled students to develop business ideas and practical skills, citing the 2026 Entrepreneurship Week, where students showcased products including Adire textiles, handmade footwear, beadwork and paintings.

Kuku disclosed that Akinegbe Joshua received a ₦500,000 investment fund after pitching a business idea.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced plans to strengthen the university’s relationship with its host community through a partnership with Pathlighters International.

She said the initiative would provide free career development programmes for secondary school students in Odeomu and neighbouring communities, alongside practical information and communications technology training for teachers.

Addressing the graduands, Kuku urged them to look beyond their academic qualifications by developing problem-solving abilities, integrity, adaptability and entrepreneurial skills.

She noted that technological advancement and artificial intelligence were transforming the workplace, advising the graduates to identify opportunities, create value and remain willing to learn throughout their careers.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Dipo Oluyomi, commended the university’s management for its contributions to the institution’s development, particularly in academic accreditation, student enrolment and the introduction of new programmes.

Oluyomi said the university’s progress reflected purposeful leadership, effective governance and collaboration among the Governing Council, management, Senate and other stakeholders.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Chancellor, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Board of Trustees and the Kingsway International Christian Centre family to the institution’s growth.

He charged the graduands to uphold integrity, diligence and excellence, urging them to approach challenges as opportunities to learn, innovate and contribute to society.

Citing Philippians 4:13, Oluyomi encouraged them to remain steadfast in pursuing their ambitions and serve as worthy ambassadors of the university wherever they found themselves.

He also praised the academic and non-academic staff for their dedication, stressing that a university’s success depended not only on classroom teaching but also on research, administration, student support and the effective maintenance of institutional facilities.

In the convocation lecture titled ‘Navigating Financial Hurdles: Opportunities and Strategies for Private Universities in Nigeria’, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Prof. Adesola Adetutu Ajayi, urged private universities to diversify their revenue sources to remain financially sustainable amid rising operational costs, inflation and exchange-rate fluctuations.

Ajayi said reliance on tuition fees alone exposed private universities to financial risks, urging them to explore alternative sources of income, including professional certification programmes, consultancy services, research grants, commercial ventures and online learning.

She said such initiatives could strengthen institutional finances while expanding educational opportunities.

The university administrator also identified alumni engagement, strategic partnerships, endowment funds and improved financial management as important measures for addressing funding challenges.

She urged institutions to encourage alumni contributions, collaborate with businesses and development organisations, and establish transparent systems for budgeting, procurement and resource allocation.

Ajayi further advocated increased investment in research and innovation, noting that universities could generate income through research grants, patents, commercialisation of research findings and entrepreneurship centres.

She also recommended digital learning platforms and automation to reduce administrative costs and create additional revenue opportunities.

The lecturer called on the government to support private universities through a fair funding framework, including special loan facilities, arguing that such assistance would enable them to complement public institutions in meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for university education.

Addressing the graduands, Ajayi likened their academic journeys to Dolly Parton’s song Coat of Many Colors, saying their struggles, disappointments, determination and successes had combined to shape their achievements.

She urged them to wear their graduation gowns with pride, embrace the lessons of their experiences, and continue striving for excellence as they begin the next phase of their lives.