Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, is set to graduate 324 students at its 8th convocation ceremony, with 53 graduands from its regular academic programmes achieving First Class honours.
The graduands comprise 281 students from the university’s regular academic programmes and 43 from the Centre for Distance Learning and Executive Programmes (CEDLEP), according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun.
Arulogun disclosed this during a press conference ahead of the institution’s 8th convocation ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the university’s marquee.
The 2026 convocation, themed “Next-Gen Minds. Next-Level Impact,” reflects the institution’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, character, creativity and practical skills required to make meaningful contributions to society.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university was increasingly focused on ensuring that education translated into tangible societal impact rather than merely producing graduates with academic certificates.
According to her, the changing global environment, driven by artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship and emerging socioeconomic challenges, requires universities to prepare students to think innovatively, solve problems and create opportunities.
“The more important question is, ‘What can our graduates do with what they know?’ At Chrisland University, we believe that knowledge must ultimately translate into impact,” she said.
The breakdown of the 281 graduands from the university’s regular programmes showed that 53 students, representing 18.9 per cent, achieved First Class honours.
Another 142 graduands, representing 50.5 per cent, obtained Second Class Upper Division, while 78 students, or 27.8 per cent, earned Second Class Lower Division. Eight graduands, representing 2.8 per cent, obtained Third Class degrees.
The College of Management and Social Sciences (CAMASS) recorded 103 graduands, comprising 17 First Class recipients, 44 Second Class Upper, 37 Second Class Lower and five Third Class graduates.
The College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CONAS) produced 70 graduands, including 10 First Class recipients, 28 Second Class Upper, 29 Second Class Lower and three Third Class graduates.
The College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) recorded 55 graduands, with nine achieving First Class, 39 earning Second Class Upper and seven obtaining Second Class Lower degrees.
The Nursing programme produced 53 graduands, including 17 First Class recipients, 31 Second Class Upper and five Second Class Lower graduates.
For CEDLEP, 16 of the 43 graduands, representing 37.2 per cent, achieved First Class honours, while 19, or 44.2 per cent, earned Second Class Upper degrees. Eight students, representing 18.6 per cent, obtained Second Class Lower degrees.
The university will also recognise outstanding students through prizes and awards for academic performance, leadership, innovation and service.
Arulogun described the figures as evidence of the hard work and perseverance of the graduands, while acknowledging the contributions of parents, guardians, academics and other university staff to their achievements.
The convocation lecture, titled “Beyond the Degree: Next-Generation Leadership, Innovation and Impact in a Changing World,” will be delivered by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
Arulogun said the lecture’s theme was particularly relevant to graduates entering a world where employers and society increasingly expect practical competence, integrity, creativity and the ability to solve problems.
She noted that a degree could open doors for graduates, but their long-term success would depend on their ability to create value, demonstrate good character and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Highlighting the institution’s priorities, Arulogun said Chrisland University was strengthening its academic programmes to respond to national development priorities and emerging workforce demands.
She explained that the university’s expansion strategy was guided by quality, relevance and sustainability rather than the pursuit of increased student numbers alone.
She also identified health and allied health education as important areas of focus, noting that the institution aimed to contribute to Nigeria’s health workforce through graduates who combine scientific competence with compassion, professionalism and a commitment to community service.
On research, the Vice-Chancellor said the university was encouraging academics to produce work capable of addressing practical societal challenges.
She stressed that research should extend beyond academic publications to influence policy, strengthen communities, improve health and well-being, support industry and generate workable solutions.
The university is also promoting entrepreneurship and innovation to prepare students not only to seek employment but also to create opportunities and, where possible, generate employment for others.
Arulogun further emphasised the need to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies while understanding their ethical implications.
“Our responsibility is therefore to ensure that students understand emerging technologies, know how to use them productively and, equally importantly, understand their ethical implications,” she said.
She added that the institution would continue investing in infrastructure to support teaching, learning, accommodation, security and technology as its programmes and student population grow.
Beyond academic and technological competence, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing graduates distinguished by moral rectitude and responsible leadership.
She warned that knowledge without integrity could be dangerous, stressing that the institution wanted its graduates to leave not only intellectually equipped but also stronger in values, responsibility and humanity.
Arulogun said Chrisland University was also working to strengthen partnerships, research collaborations and academic networks to improve its national standing and international visibility.
She maintained that a university’s reputation was built through quality teaching, credible research, excellent graduates, productive partnerships and demonstrable impact.
The institution’s ultimate objective, she said, was to nurture graduates who combine knowledge with character, competence with compassion, technology with humanity, ambition with responsibility, and innovation with integrity.
The week-long convocation programme will feature professional induction ceremonies, a convocation dinner and awards night, the conferment of degrees and a thanksgiving service.
Activities will begin on Tuesday, October 20, with the induction of graduands into the public health profession at the university auditorium.
This will be followed by the induction of medical laboratory science graduands on Wednesday, October 21, and nursing and midwifery graduands on Thursday, October 22.
The induction of physiotherapy graduands is scheduled for Friday, October 23, while the convocation dinner and awards night will hold on Sunday, October 25, at the university marquee.
The induction of computer science graduands will take place on Monday, October 26, ahead of the main convocation ceremony and conferment of degrees on Tuesday, October 27.
The programme will conclude with a thanksgiving and dedication service on Wednesday, October 28.
Inviting parents, guardians, alumni, university partners and members of the public to the ceremony, Arulogun described the convocation as more than a celebration of academic achievement, saying it represented confidence in a new generation of Nigerians prepared for leadership, innovation and service.
She expressed optimism that graduates equipped with knowledge, character, creativity and courage would be better positioned to contribute to national development and respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world.
