Babcock bids emotional farewell to VC as 3,229 Graduates soar, 241 earn first-class degrees
By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, graduated 3,229 students at its 2025 convocation, with 241 earning First-Class degrees. The occasion also marked a poignant moment the final official outing of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola Stephen Tayo, who bows out after a decade of transformative leadership.
With the theme “Charting a Glorious Future with Courage and Purpose,” the convocation served not just as a culmination of academic achievement, but a tribute to a tenure marked by growth, innovation, and vision.
In his address, Prof. Tayo celebrated the achievements of the graduating class, which includes 2,543 undergraduate and 686 postgraduate students comprising 217 PhDs, 30 MPhil, 359 Master’s, and 80 Postgraduate Diploma recipients. Also graduating were 55 students (43 undergraduates and 12 postgraduates) from BUCODeL Babcock’s Open and Distance E-Learning Centre making history as its first cohort.
Reflecting on his time in office, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor spotlighted landmark achievements across the university’s ecosystem, including new academic programmes in Cybersecurity, Peace Studies, and One Health all fully accredited by the NUC.
He also highlighted the launch of the Schools of Engineering and Environmental Science at the Iperu campus, a facility now undergoing major structural expansion.
“We didn’t just chase growth; we pursued transformation,” he said. “From building infrastructure to launching student startups, we’ve ensured Babcock remains a hub of moral leadership and academic excellence.”
Research, Innovation, and Employability
Babcock’s research capacity also received a significant boost during Prof. Tayo’s administration, with grants secured from international bodies totaling over £35,000, €10,500, $14,000, and ₦60 million. The university actively participated in global collaborations including the University of Pittsburgh’s Global Teach Project and health initiatives in partnership with institutions like the University of Manchester and TWAS-DFG, Germany.
Recognized in 2024 by Stutern as Nigeria’s second most employable university, Babcock’s strides in career readiness have been driven by the establishment of a Career Services Unit and industry-linked initiatives such as the Babcock Innovation Challenge and Entrepreneurship Week.
Under Prof. Tayo’s watch, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) grew into one of Nigeria’s top private healthcare centres, performing over 927 advanced medical procedures, including 20 open-heart surgeries and several neurosurgeries. BUTH also fully digitized its medical records, reinforcing its commitment to modern healthcare delivery.
In an emotional closing, the Vice-Chancellor urged graduates to wear their Babcock identity with pride and lead lives rooted in faith, service, and innovation.
“Let your knowledge serve justice. Let your talents solve problems. Let your values inspire hope,” he told the class. “Be fearless. Be kind. Be Babcock.”
He added: “Babcock University is not just surviving it is thriving. And with God on our side, the best is yet to come.”
As Babcock University closes one chapter and opens another, it does so with renewed confidence bolstered by academic excellence, spiritual grounding, and a legacy of leadership that will echo far beyond the campus walls.
