The University of Offa, located in Offa, Kwara State, has held its maiden convocation ceremony, graduating 140 first-degree students. Out of these graduates, eight achieved First Class honours. The convocation ceremony was announced by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, during a press conference. The university has made significant progress since its establishment.
According to Professor Gbolagade, the breakdown of the graduates' results is as follows: 54 graduates earned Second Class Upper degrees, 76 obtained Second Class Lower degrees, and two graduates had Third Class honours. The university, which was licensed in 2021 and commenced academic activities in 2022, has grown to offer 17 academic programmes across four faculties. These faculties include Science and Computing, Management and Social Sciences, Education, and Health Sciences.
The University of Offa has experienced significant growth in student enrolment. The student population rose from 81 in the 2022/2023 academic session to 640 newly admitted students in the 2026/2027 session. The Vice-Chancellor attributed this growth to the institution's commitment to academic excellence, adherence to its academic calendar, and the use of information technology and entrepreneurship. The university has also partnered with other institutions to provide students with practical and international learning experiences.
The university has established partnerships with Highstone International University in the USA and INTI International University in Malaysia. These partnerships aim to promote staff and student exchanges, research collaboration, and resource sharing. Additionally, the university has partnered with New Horizon to provide practical information technology training for students across all disciplines. This training will enable students to earn professional certifications alongside their degree certificates.
The University of Offa has made progress in research and grant acquisition. Some academics have secured research grants and international opportunities. The University of Offa Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies was launched in March 2026, and its first volume was published in June. The journal contains 19 articles and showcases the university's research output.
The university is helping students acquire Corporate Affairs Commission registration for their businesses. There are plans to introduce start-up grants for graduates in the future. This initiative aims to equip graduates with the skills to become job creators rather than job seekers. All 10 of the university's initial academic programmes have received accreditation from the National Universities Commission.
Despite the achievements, the Vice-Chancellor identified inadequate infrastructure as a major challenge. He appealed for support to develop additional on-campus accommodation, a modern Senate building, and other facilities. The university has introduced a 50 per cent salary increase for its staff, effective 1 October 2026, as part of its welfare package. The convocation week features various activities, including counselling, job training, and an award night.
Key points
- The University of Offa graduated 140 first-degree students at its maiden convocation ceremony.
- Eight graduates achieved First Class honours.
- The university has grown from two faculties and 10 programmes to four faculties and 17 academic programmes.
