Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, has announced a major expansion of its academic programmes with the approval to commence Medicine (MBBS) and Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degrees in the 2026/2027 academic session, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to producing highly skilled professionals for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
The announcement was made during the university’s 12th Undergraduate and 8th Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony, where the institution also celebrated the graduation of 1,375 students across its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Delivering his convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Solomon Adebola, described the latest approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a major boost to the university’s academic profile and a reflection of its continuous investment in quality teaching, research, infrastructure and professional training.
According to him, the institution admitted 1,554 students into various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes during the 2025/2026 academic session, demonstrating the growing confidence of students and parents in the university’s academic offerings.
Professor Adebola explained that the commencement of the Medicine and Pharmacy programmes would further expand opportunities for prospective students while contributing to Nigeria’s efforts to address the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.
Highlighting the institution’s academic achievements, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that 1,375 graduands successfully completed their studies across the College of Postgraduate Studies and the university’s six undergraduate faculties.
He announced that Ejiofor Onyinyechukwu Sonia of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Kinosi Victor Oluwagbemiga of the Department of Economics emerged as the overall best graduating undergraduate students, each earning a perfect 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
At the postgraduate level, Olunlade Joshua Oluwafisayo emerged as the overall best Master’s graduate in Mechanical Engineering with a Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 80.02, while Ukenyi Chibunna Godspower was named the overall best PhD graduate in Religious Studies (New Testament) with a CWA of 77.32.
Professor Adebola congratulated the graduating students on their achievements and urged them to regard graduation as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of their educational journey. He encouraged them to remain innovative, embrace lifelong learning and use the knowledge acquired at the university to contribute positively to national development.
The convocation ceremony also featured a keynote address by the President of Adeleke University and renowned entrepreneur, Dr Deji Adeleke, who challenged the graduating students to uphold integrity and patriotism as they prepare to join the workforce and assume leadership roles in society.
While addressing broader national issues, Adeleke stressed that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the values demonstrated by young graduates. He urged them to reject corruption, dishonesty and electoral malpractice, noting that sustainable national development can only be achieved when educated citizens uphold accountability, justice and democratic principles.
He observed that young Nigerians, including members of the National Youth Service Corps who often serve as ad hoc election officials, have a critical responsibility to protect the credibility of the nation’s electoral process through honesty and professionalism.
According to Adeleke, universities should not only produce academically excellent graduates but also individuals of sound character who are prepared to serve society with integrity and contribute to building stronger institutions.
He warned that electoral fraud and unethical conduct undermine Nigeria’s international reputation and hinder national progress, encouraging graduates to become ambassadors of transparency and responsible leadership wherever they find themselves.
Education stakeholders at the ceremony described Adeleke University’s latest achievements as evidence of the institution’s steady growth since its establishment in 2011, noting that the introduction of Medicine and Pharmacy programmes will further strengthen its contribution to higher education and healthcare manpower development in Nigeria.
The convocation ended with renewed optimism about the university’s future, as management reaffirmed its commitment to expanding academic opportunities, maintaining high educational standards and producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and ethical values required to compete successfully in an increasingly globalised world.
