The University of Offa (UNIOFFA), Kwara State, is set to celebrate its pioneer graduating students at its maiden convocation ceremony, with eight of the 140 graduates earning First Class honours.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, disclosed the graduation figures during a press briefing ahead of the university’s first convocation, scheduled to culminate on Monday, October 12, 2026.

According to the breakdown, 54 graduates obtained Second Class Upper, while 76 earned Second Class Lower. Two graduates completed their programmes with Third Class honours.

The maiden convocation marks a major milestone for the relatively young private university, which was licensed in 2021 and began academic activities in 2022.

Since then, the institution has expanded considerably. The university currently operates four faculties covering Science and Computing, Management and Social Sciences, Education, and Health Sciences. Its academic offerings have also grown from the initial 10 programmes to 17.

The university is planning further expansion, with programmes such as Law, Theatre Arts and Public Health among those being considered as it develops its academic structure.

Gbolagade said student enrolment had also increased significantly since the university welcomed its first students. The institution started with just 81 students in the 2022/2023 academic session, while 640 students were newly admitted for the 2026/2027 session.

He disclosed that more than 1,000 prospective students had applied for admission for the current academic year, with the university continuing its admission process until its approved quota is reached.

The Vice-Chancellor attributed the institution’s growth to its emphasis on academic standards, adherence to its academic calendar, technology-driven learning and entrepreneurship.

The university has also sought to broaden students’ exposure through visiting lecturers and partnerships with institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

Among its international collaborations are partnerships with Highstone International University in the United States and INTI International University in Malaysia, which are aimed at supporting areas such as academic exchange, research collaboration and resource sharing.

UNIOFFA has also partnered with New Horizon to provide practical information technology training to students across disciplines. The programme is intended to give students additional professional certifications that can complement their university degrees.

Research has also become part of the university’s development strategy. The institution launched the University of Offa Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in March 2026 and published its first volume containing 19 research articles in June.

The university is equally placing emphasis on entrepreneurship and graduate employability. According to the Vice-Chancellor, students are being assisted with Corporate Affairs Commission registration for their businesses, while the institution is considering start-up grants to help graduates turn their ideas into viable businesses.

The move is designed to encourage students to graduate with entrepreneurial skills and pursue opportunities as job creators rather than relying solely on conventional employment.

The university has also recorded progress with its academic accreditation. UNIOFFA said the NUC approved four health-related programmes—Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Doctor of Physiotherapy and Community Health—following a resource verification exercise conducted in April 2026.

Despite the progress, Gbolagade identified infrastructure as one of the major challenges facing the growing institution.

He appealed for support toward projects including additional student accommodation, a modern Senate building, a Faculty of Health Sciences complex, a proposed Faculty of Law building, a 1,000-capacity lecture theatre, library facilities, a sports complex, mosque and computer-based testing centre.

The university has also announced plans for a development fund as part of its efforts to expand its facilities and support its long-term growth. Current reports on the convocation programme put the launch of the development plan among the activities leading up to the main ceremony.

As part of its staff welfare programme, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the university had approved a 50 per cent salary increase for its employees, effective October 1, 2026.

The maiden convocation activities began on October 7 with a press briefing and include counselling and job training, an exhibition, sports activities, a special Juma'at prayer, a dinner and awards ceremony before the main convocation on October 12.

The October 12 ceremony will feature the investiture of the university’s Chancellor, followed by the convocation lecture and the formal graduation ceremony. The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Muhammad Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, was earlier announced as the institution’s pioneer Chancellor.

For the 140 pioneer graduates, however, the central moment will be the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of their transition into professional and entrepreneurial life.

The university says it intends to build on the achievements of its first graduating set while continuing to strengthen its academic programmes, research, innovation, infrastructure and partnerships.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia