By Michael Obianyo
Dr Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), has urged graduating students to uphold strong values and embrace continuous learning as they step into the next phase of their lives.
Olowolafe made the call at the university’s 30th Convocation Ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti.
The chancellor congratulated the graduating class while challenging them to look beyond their certificates and focus on character, resilience, and purpose.
He emphasised that while academic qualifications open doors, personal values such as hard work, humility, and honesty are what sustain long-term success.
“A certificate is only the beginning of the real work. What you carry inside you is what determines whether you will build something lasting,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal journey, the Chancellor recounted how he trained as a medical doctor at the University of Ilorin but later left medical practice in 1988 to pursue opportunities in infrastructure development, a decision that eventually led to the establishment of Deux Project Limited and his current role as Chancellor.
He urged graduates not to be limited by their academic disciplines, noting that real-world challenges require interdisciplinary thinking and bold decision-making.
Olowolafe highlighted the importance of investing in educators, describing lecturers as the backbone of any great university. Through the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, he disclosed that 37 EKSU lecturers have been sponsored to attend international conferences in Europe and North America since 2024.
He announced plans to expand the initiative into a structured programme under the “TOF Continuous Learning Ecosystem,” aimed at ensuring continuous professional development and global exposure for academic staff.
The Chancellor also outlined several interventions by the foundation to enhance student learning and employability.
These include the establishment of the EKSU Trading Room and Financial Market Trading Programme in collaboration with the Department of Finance. The facility, equipped with modern technology, provides students with practical experience in financial trading and has now been approved by the university senate as a diploma certificate programme open to students nationwide.
In the sciences, the Department of Geology has been equipped with a Geoscience Earth Laboratory, complete with modern tools and a dedicated vehicle for fieldwork.
Similarly, Civil Engineering students were placed on industrial training at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, providing hands-on experience on one of Nigeria’s major infrastructure projects.
Olowolafe reiterated the foundation’s commitment to rewarding excellence, noting that 200 graduates who earned First Class honours received N500,000 each at the previous convocation.
He announced that the beneficiaries would now be enrolled into the TOF First Class Graduate Club, where they would receive continued professional development, digital identity through @GOMLearning.app, and access to job opportunities across key sectors.
The Chancellor explained that these initiatives form part of a broader strategy—the TOF Continuous Learning Ecosystem—designed to ensure that education at EKSU extends beyond graduation.
According to him, beneficiaries will maintain a digital record of their skills, achievements, and career development, enabling continuous growth and global competitiveness.
Addressing the Class of 2026, Olowolafe urged them to carry forward the legacy of the institution with pride and responsibility.
“You are the 30th graduating class of this institution. Carry its hopes on your shoulders and carry them well,” he said.
He concluded by congratulating the graduates and wishing them success as they embark on their future endeavours.
