Look beyond certificate, NUC charges Trinity varsity graduates

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has called on Nigerian graduates to look beyond academic certificates and leverage competence, creativity, and integrity to solve critical national problems and navigate an evolving global workforce.

The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, gave the charge on Friday at the fifth convocation ceremony of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos.

Represented by Dr Ayotelu Ogun from the commission’s Lagos Liaison Office, Prof. Ribadu emphasised that while the NUC remains committed to maintaining academic standards and institutional accreditation, true quality assurance must extend beyond regulatory checkboxes.

“Quality assurance must transcend regulatory compliance and become an enduring institutional culture reflected in effective teaching, critical assessment, regular curriculum review, and demonstrable learning outcomes,” Ribadu stated.

He urged Nigerian universities to actively bridge the gap between academia and the marketplace.

To strengthen graduate employability and promote entrepreneurship, the NUC boss noted that institutions must foster deep-rooted collaborations with industry stakeholders to translate academic research into practical, real-world solutions.

Addressing the graduating class of 2026 directly, the NUC chief reminded them that a degree is only as valuable as the tangible impact it creates.

“Graduates, this is your moment, but it is also your responsibility,” Ribadu said. “The world you are entering will demand more than certificates. It will demand competence, creativity, integrity, and resilience.”

He challenged the graduates to reject complacency, stay curious, and proactively build opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear.

He also urged them to see failures as stepping stones and to let ethical judgments anchor their professional lives.

“Wherever life takes you, let your character earn respect, your competence inspire confidence, and your achievements make your alma mater proud. Do not try merely to be successful; make an impact, focus on adding value, and do not seek only to shine. Use your lives to illuminate the path of others,” he charged.

The NUC boss lauded parents and guardians for their immense sacrifices, prayers, and unwavering support, wishing them good health to reap the rewards of their labour.

He also extended his appreciation to the faculty and management of Trinity University, noting that their dedication to mentorship, research, and professional development has been instrumental in shaping the capabilities of the graduates.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Clement Kolawole, revealed that 323 students graduated across various disciplines, with 79 students (representing 24.46%) achieving First-Class honors.

Notably, two of the First-Class graduates—Osayuware Toluwalase Osazuwa from the Department of International Relations and Osemen Joy Esezobor from the Department of Computer Science—attained a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0. Their academic feats bring the total number of graduates in the university’s history with a perfect score to four.

Giving a further breakdown of the graduation statistics, the Vice-Chancellor stated that 147 students attained Second-Class Upper Division, 54 obtained Second-Class Lower Division, 4 graduated with Third-Class degrees, and 39 fell into the unclassified category.

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Prof. Kolawole explained that this year’s convocation under the 2025/2026 academic session was particularly significant. As part of the week-long celebrations, the university presented 53 Nursing Science and 22 Medical Laboratory Science graduates for induction into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, respectively.

Kolawole noted that the university was established in 2019 with just nine pioneering students. Since then, it has enjoyed steady growth in its student and faculty population, academic programmes, infrastructure, research, and community service.

He added that all programmes offered by the university have achieved full accreditation from the NUC and relevant professional bodies.

He further explained that the university intentionally hosts two convocation ceremonies within a single academic session to ensure a seamless transition for students, preventing any vacuum between their final examinations and graduation.

“This arrangement is in the best interest of our students,” Kolawole said. “It enables them to proceed promptly for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and meet foreign university admission deadlines. It also ensures they are physically present to celebrate graduation before professional induction, which is why we are combining both ceremonies.”

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted a major milestone: “The university has produced its first homegrown professor in person, Professor ModupeAde Adetunji, to a full Professor of Food Microbiology and Mycotoxicology.

Additionally, Kolawole noted that skills acquisition is now mandatory alongside core academic programmes to boost student employability. Charging the graduands, he said, “We expect you to make a difference wherever you find yourselves, engage in more learning, exhibit good character, and have the fear of God.”

In their separate remarks, the Chancellor, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, and the Governing Council Chairman, Pastor Samuel Olatunji, both expressed gratitude for the university’s steady growth while commending the management and staff.

Prince Adedoyin, who is also the Chairman of Doyin Group of Companies, urged the graduands to adopt five life-guiding virtues: godliness, creativity, industry, drive, and discipline.

“Put God first, be creative by creating solutions rather than just job-hunting, and be industrious,” Adedoyin said. “These five virtues must work together. Godliness without industry is empty religion. Industry without creativity is drudgery. Drive without discipline leads to destruction. But combined, you become unstoppable.”

He advised them to put extra effort into their endeavours to gain an edge in a competitive world, adding, “Challenges will come, but determination, courage, and holding fast to God will help you overcome.”

Olatunji reaffirmed the university’s foundational vision to produce globally competitive graduates and address societal challenges through cutting-edge research.

Congratulating the graduands and parents, he assured stakeholders that the institution remains steadfast in pursuing its mandate.