By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) College of Education, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus, has flinducted 147 new educators into the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in a ceremony held at the Multipurpose Hall of the university’s main campus in Osogbo.
This year’s event, themed “Transforming Teaching into Enterprise: The Role of Generative AI,” served as a powerful call to action for the new graduates, urging them to embrace technological innovation to elevate their practice and impact.
Speaking at the event, the Provost of the College of Education, Professor Florence Adeoti Yusuf, reframed the teaching profession for the modern age. She remarked that the induction marked “not just an academic culmination, but the beautiful beginning of the most important journey — to shape minds, ignite curiosity, and build the future.”
Professor Yusuf positioned generative AI not as a threat, but as a “tireless assistant and creative partner” capable of transforming teaching from an “artisan craft” into a dynamic, innovative enterprise.
Also addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Clement Odunayo Adebooye, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Research, Innovation and Partnership), highlighted the university’s recent achievements and reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and innovation in higher education.
The event featured the formal presentation of TRCN certificates to the inductees by the Council’s representative, Mrs. Mary Anekwe, as congratulatory messages poured in from principals and headteachers across Osun State, welcoming the new professionals into the fold.
The guest speaker at the occasion, Dr. Segun Oduyebo, further amplified the theme of enterprise, challenging the inductees to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and to identify opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving educational landscape.
He emphasized the need to counter the “Japa syndrome” by building fulfilling and impactful careers at home, contributing meaningfully to national development through education.
Dr. Oduyebo envisioned a future where AI handles routine administrative tasks such as lesson planning and quiz generation, thereby freeing educators to focus on their irreplaceable human roles — to inspire, mentor, and connect with students.
“Your humanity is your superpower,” he said. “Let AI handle the administrative; you must double down on the human connection.”
He urged the inductees to become the “CEOs of their classrooms” — critical guides for their students and innovators who are unafraid to experiment and share knowledge.
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of academic excellence, with 15 graduates who achieved a CGPA of 4.0 and above receiving special cash awards.
The top recipients were:
Blessing Arowolo (CGPA 4.78)
Hajarat Adeola Taye (CGPA 4.67)
Others included: Zainab Temitope Oyediran, Toluwalope Iyiola, Oreoluwa Olagunju, Favour Jubee, Adejoke Adeyemi, Dorcas Onigbinde, Adefunke Adeyinka, Sheriff Adeleke, Rejoice Owodunni, Wisdom Olatoke, Aminat Bello, Adedoyin Adebayo, and Zainab Akinsola.
This generous recognition was made possible through the heartfelt contributions of several distinguished benefactors, underscoring a deep commitment to fostering educational excellence and ambition.
The sponsors included:
Senator Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi, Deputy Minority Leader of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who graciously awarded ₦100,000 each to five students.
Chief Sheriff Babatunde Abdulsalam, the Otunba Tayese of Ido-Osun, who also provided ₦100,000 each to five students.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Francisca Fanu, CEO of Phoebestar Royalty School, Osogbo, who awarded ₦100,000 to one student.
Professor Dayo Akinmoladun of Ipetu-Ijesa, who supported three students with ₦100,000 each.
Pastor Timothy Olaosebikan Alademomi, Proprietor of Immaculate Model Schools, Ipetu-Ijesa, who also awarded ₦100,000 to one student.
Additionally, the guest lecturer, Dr. Segun Oduyebo, presented a special award of ₦50,000 to the overall best student, Blessing Arowolo, in a gesture that underscored the value placed on academic excellence.
The induction ceremony concluded on a high note, ushering a new wave of tech-savvy, enterprise-oriented educators into the Nigerian education system.
