The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Professor Babatola Ayodele, has issued a stern warning to newly admitted sandwich degree students for the 2025 contact session, cautioning them to strictly adhere to their matriculation oath or risk sanctions.
The warning was delivered during the hybrid matriculation ceremony held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Twin Hall of the university. The event was significant, as it also included students from EKSU’s affiliated institutions, namely Adeshina College of Education, Share, Kwara State; College of Education, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Upland College of Education, Ifira/Ipesi Akoko, Ondo State.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Williams Adebayo, reminded the matriculants that matriculation was not a mere ritual but an official ceremony that marked their full induction into the university system. He emphasized that the oath they had sworn must guide their conduct throughout their academic journey.
“The matriculation oath is binding on you, and any student who flouts the university’s rules and regulations will be sanctioned accordingly,” Adebayo stated. “We urge you to take your studies seriously, avoid anti-social behaviour, and make the best use of the opportunities provided by your parents and the university.”
He further explained that the sandwich programme was deliberately designed to provide flexible, high-quality education that could prepare the students for a competitive future. According to him, EKSU prides itself on grooming its graduates into “enigmas of great repute” who can stand tall in their professions both locally and internationally.
While congratulating the new students, Adebayo described EKSU as one of the most sought-after ivory towers in the country. He proudly added that the institution is currently ranked as the best state university in Nigeria, a status that all new entrants must work to uphold and sustain.
Provosts of the affiliated colleges, in their goodwill messages, also commended the students for securing admission into the sandwich programme. They urged them to embrace discipline, hard work, and excellence as hallmarks of success. They warned against distractions that could derail their academic pursuit.
The Registrar of EKSU, Mr. Ife Oluwole, who was represented by the Director of Personnel, Mr. Babatunde Awe, formally administered the matriculation oath on the students. This came after the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Timothy Akinwamide, had presented the matriculants to the university authorities.
The ceremony was graced by principal officers of the university, academic staff, friends, and families of the new students. The atmosphere was celebratory, with a mix of solemnity as students pledged to abide by the rules and expectations of the institution.
Dr. Bode Olofinmuagun, Deputy Registrar and Head of the Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, spoke with reporters after the event. He reiterated the university’s resolve to maintain discipline as a non-negotiable standard for all students.
According to Olofinmuagun, EKSU’s leadership remains firm in its stance that the matriculation oath is not a mere formality. He stressed that breaches of the oath would attract appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the university’s regulations.
“The university will not tolerate any breach of the matriculation oath,” Olofinmuagun said. “Our Vice Chancellor has made it clear that those who fail to uphold the oath will face appropriate sanctions. EKSU remains committed to producing disciplined, excellent graduates who can compete anywhere in the world.”
The ceremony, which combined both in-person and virtual attendance, reflected EKSU’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity in delivering academic programmes. It also underscored the institution’s drive to maintain a strong reputation in the Nigerian educational sector.
For the newly admitted sandwich students, the event marked the beginning of an important academic journey, one that demands diligence, discipline, and a strict adherence to the values and standards embodied in the matriculation oath they had just taken.
