Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, has graduated 3,521 students during its 2025/2026 convocation ceremony, with 306 earning First-Class honours, while the institution awarded its overall best graduating student a ₦10 million prize for exceptional academic performance.

Oluwapelumi Amosu, an Economics graduate who finished with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.96, emerged as the university’s overall best graduating student and received the cash reward in recognition of her outstanding achievement.

Delivering the convocation lecture titled Breaking New Grounds, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged the graduating class, known as the “Nova Class,” to face the future with courage, resilience, and innovation.

He said success is determined by preparation, consistency, value creation, and the willingness to seize opportunities rather than by potential alone.

The governor described the name “Nova” as a symbol of new beginnings, renewed hope, and the promise of greater accomplishments, encouraging the graduates to see challenges as opportunities for growth.

Sanwo-Olu praised Babcock University for producing graduates who continue to distinguish themselves in fields such as healthcare, law, business, public service, and other professions.

Reflecting on his own graduation from the University of Lagos in 1988, he contrasted the analogue era of his student days with today’s technology-driven world, noting that modern graduates have unprecedented access to information and global opportunities through digital innovation.

Drawing from his experience as Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu recounted leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS crisis, saying both events underscored the importance of resilience, evidence-based decision-making, and seeking wise counsel during difficult times.

He encouraged the graduates not to be discouraged by setbacks, stressing that failure often provides lessons that prepare individuals for future success. He urged them to remain determined, embrace faith in uncertain moments, and continue striving for excellence.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, congratulated the graduating students and charged them to apply the knowledge and values acquired during their studies to make meaningful contributions to society. He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening its academic standards, innovation and global impact.