- tasks them on innovation, digital skills, ethical conduct
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has matriculated 708 fresh students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This was in a statement by the university’s spokesman, Mr Williams Olufunmi.
At the matriculation ceremony, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Philip Gbenro Oguntunde, charged the new intakes to embrace innovation, digital competence, entrepreneurship and disciplined scholarship in a rapidly changing global environment.
In his speech at the universitty’s 14th matriculation ceremony on Friday, January 30, 2026, Oguntunde described matriculation as more than a ceremonial rite, but a formal academic contract that binds students to the pursuit of knowledge with integrity, discipline and intellectual honesty.
He said the matriculants comprise 610 undergraduates and 98 postgraduate students, who emerged from a rigorous, merit-based selection process.
They are spread across the Faculties of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Law, Basic and Applied Sciences, Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, as well as the School of Postgraduate Studies.
He explained that the students are enrolled in over 35 fully accredited undergraduate programmes and 23 postgraduate programmes, deliberately structured to meet Nigeria’s manpower needs while remaining globally competitive.
These figures, according to the Vice-Chancellor, reflect not just growth, but careful planning to ensure quality education, manageable class sizes and effective student–faculty engagement.
Oguntundestressed that Elizade University is founded on the principle that knowledge must be functional, measurable and impactful.
He noted that universities must now produce graduates capable of analysing problems, interpreting evidence and developing sustainable solutions in a data-driven and technology-oriented world.
His words, “Our academic model places strong emphasis on evidence-based learning and research, quantitative and analytical skills, interdisciplinary thinking, and entrepreneurship as a mindset, not merely a course.”
He stressed that education at Elizade University goes beyond examination success, focusing instead on real-world relevance, innovation and value creation.
The Vice Chancellor added that entrepreneurship and innovation are embedded across all faculties through compulsory courses, project-based learning and industry-linked assignments.
“The future belongs to those who can create value, not just seek employment. Our goal is to graduate individuals who can convert ideas into enterprises, research into solutions, and knowledge into national development outcomes,” he said.
Highlighting the global context of digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainability, Oguntunde challenged the matriculating students to develop strong digital literacy, work confidently with data and emerging technologies, and understand the ethical and practical implications of AI, regardless of their chosen disciplines.
Generally, he assured the university’s students of commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure, platforms and mentorship, while stressing that personal drive and commitment remain indispensable to success.
Citing recent achievements by the university’s students as a clear confirmation of the quality of education being offered, he noted that its Law students recently emerged first and third at national debate competitions held at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
They had competed against first and second generation universities.
On discipline and ethics, Oguntunde reaffirmed the University’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, sexual harassment, cybercrime and all forms of misconduct.
He urged students to uphold the institution’s values and regulatiins always.
Addressing parents and guardians, he thanked them for the confidence reposed in Elizade University, and assured them of a secure, structured and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes both academic excellence and character development.
He urged the matriculating students to remain focused and disciplined, reminding them that education is defined not by what is memorized, but by what is applied, to improve society.
Some of the matriculating students who spoke with journalists expressed joy at what they have come to found at Elizade University.
The ceremony marked another milestone in Elizade University’s steady growth as an innovation-driven, entrepreneurial institution committed to national development.
