Wellspring University recently held its 14th convocation ceremony, honouring 404 graduands, including 294 first-degree recipients and 110 postgraduate students. Popo Atorerefa Nancy, a graduating student from the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, emerged as the institution's best graduating student with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.98 on a 5.0 scale. She was among 47 graduands who made First Class.
The convocation ceremony saw a total of 294 first-degree recipients honoured, with a breakdown of their results as follows: 145 graduands obtained Second Class Upper Division, 91 earned Second Class Lower Division, while 11 graduated with Third Class Honours. This academic performance comes amid growing calls for Nigerian universities to strengthen academic standards, promote excellence and produce graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills required to compete in an increasingly demanding global economy.
The Vice-Chancellor of Wellspring University, Professor Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, noted that beyond undergraduate achievements, the ceremony marked a historic chapter in the university’s development with the graduation of its first doctoral degree holders. These include 15 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and two Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) recipients. Ajayi described the pioneer doctoral graduations as evidence of the university’s growing capacity for postgraduate education and research.
Ajayi urged the scholars to advance knowledge, mentor younger academics and contribute to national development through their respective fields. The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved new academic programmes, including Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Community Health Science and Health Information Management, as the institution expands its scope of professional manpower training.
The Chancellor of the University, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, challenged the graduands to look beyond their certificates and embrace the responsibility of using their education to improve society. He noted that the world they were entering was being reshaped by artificial intelligence, climate change, geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties. Ituah urged them to build their careers with diligence, serve their communities with generosity and contribute to Nigeria’s progress with patriotism, integrity and excellence.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo stressed that academic qualifications must be matched by character and a sense of responsibility. He encouraged the graduands to make a positive impact in their communities and the nation at large. The convocation ceremony was a significant milestone for the university, marking a new chapter in its development.
The convocation lecture, titled “The University and the Future: Educated Minds in an Era of Disruption and Opportunity,” was delivered by the Director-General of the Dangerous Goods Academy, Lagos, Dr Alban Igwe. Dr Igwe called for a shift in universities' academic curriculum to solve practical societal problems.
Key points
- Popo Atorerefa Nancy, a 2026 graduating student of Wellspring University, Benin City emerged the institution’s best graduating student with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.98 on a 5.0 scale.
- Wellspring University held its 14th convocation ceremony, honouring 404 graduands, including 294 first-degree recipients and 110 postgraduate students.
- The university graduated its first doctoral degree holders, comprising 15 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and two Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) recipients.
