Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday received the Award of Good Governance from Babcock University and announced cash rewards totalling ₦8.5 million for the institution’s best graduating students.
The governor received the award while delivering the convocation lecture at the university’s postgraduate convocation ceremony held in Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, according to a statement from the Ogun State Government.
Abiodun also challenged graduates to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired during their academic pursuits to provide practical solutions to Nigeria’s numerous challenges, stressing that education should produce problem solvers rather than mere certificate holders.
Speaking on the theme, “Breaking New Grounds,” the governor described universities as institutions that go beyond transmitting knowledge to shaping responsible citizens capable of advancing society.
He said, “Universities occupy a unique place in human civilisation. They do far more than transmit information, they sharpen minds, refine convictions, mould character, and prepare citizens capable of advancing society.”
The governor urged the graduands to combine innovation with integrity as they prepare to contribute to national development, noting that the future belongs to those who blend technological excellence with ethical leadership.
According to him, “The true measure of education lies not in what graduates know, but in how they apply that knowledge for the benefit of humanity.”
Abiodun said his administration had continued to prioritise education through the Ogun REHAB Initiative, which has transformed public schools across the state, while more than 6,000 teachers had been recruited under the OgunTeach Programme.
He said, “By combining infrastructure renewal with digital innovation, data driven planning, teacher empowerment and strategic partnerships with institutions like Babcock University, we are building an educational ecosystem where knowledge inspires innovation, research drives enterprise and planning produces globally competitive graduates equipped to lead in a knowledge based economy.”
The governor added that although artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing and digital innovation were reshaping the world, technology alone could not define humanity’s future without strong values and ethical leadership.
As part of his support for academic excellence, Abiodun announced cash rewards of ₦1.5 million for the overall best Postgraduate Diploma student, ₦2 million for the best Master’s graduate, ₦2.5 million for the best PhD graduate and ₦2.5 million for the overall best undergraduate student.
Earlier, the President and Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Olatunde Oyewole, said the institution remained committed to producing globally competitive graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, discipline and character required to serve humanity.
He said the 183 PhD graduates and over 2,000 postgraduate students celebrated at the ceremony had been prepared to become solution providers capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
Oyewole also commended the governor for the developmental strides recorded in Ogun State and urged students, staff and graduates to register and participate actively in future elections.
The high point of the ceremony was the conferment of the university’s Award of Good Governance on Abiodun in recognition of his transformational leadership and commitment to good governance. Former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isiaq Kunle Salako, were also honoured with Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
