Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, will graduate 630 students at its 18th convocation ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, with 54 of the graduands earning First Class honours.
The institution, established by The Apostolic Faith Mission, also announced the introduction of six undergraduate programmes in Allied Health Sciences: Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Public Health and Community Health.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Makinde, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 18th convocation ceremony.
He also highlighted the institution’s achievements in academic expansion, infrastructural development, research, digital transformation and international partnerships.
According to Makinde, the graduating class, tagged UNICORN 18 – THE CLASS OF 2025/2026, comprises 528 undergraduate and 102 postgraduate graduands.
Giving a breakdown of the undergraduate results, the Vice-Chancellor said 54 students obtained First Class honours, 233 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 191 secured Second Class Lower Division, while 50 obtained Third Class honours.
He said, “A total of 287 undergraduate graduands, representing approximately 54.5 per cent, obtained First Class and Second Class Upper Division degrees.
“At the postgraduate level, the university will graduate 57 Master of Science students, seven Master of Business Administration graduates, 21 Postgraduate Diploma holders and 17 Doctor of Philosophy graduates.”
Makinde described the performance as encouraging, saying it reflected the university’s commitment to academic standards, quality teaching, effective learning and intellectual development.
“Of particular significance is the fact that 287 undergraduate graduands, representing approximately 54.5 per cent, attained First Class and Second Class Upper Division degrees.
“This is an encouraging academic outcome and reflects the university’s continuing commitment to academic standards, quality teaching, effective learning and intellectual development,” he said.
The VC announced Ibazebo Anthony Eromonsele of Computer Science and Technology and Njoku Chiamaka Jasmine of Biochemistry as joint best graduating students in the regular undergraduate programme, with a cumulative grade point average of 4.92 each.
For the School of Part-Time Studies, Uzoma Perpetua Ndidiamaka of Physics with Electronics emerged as the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.96.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, stressed that the university’s definition of academic excellence went beyond degree classifications, adding that its graduates were also expected to apply knowledge, solve problems, demonstrate integrity and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Our understanding of academic excellence goes beyond degree classifications. We are equally interested in the capacity of our graduates to apply knowledge, solve problems, demonstrate integrity and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
A major highlight of the university’s ongoing transformation, according to Makinde, was the approval secured from the National Universities Commission for six new undergraduate programmes under the proposed College of Allied Health Sciences.
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He described the development as a landmark in the university’s history, noting that it would strengthen its contribution to the development of skilled manpower for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Makinde said, “The university has secured the necessary National Universities Commission approvals for six new undergraduate programmes under the proposed College of Allied Health Sciences. The new programmes are Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Public Health and Community Health.
“This development represents a landmark in the university’s academic history. It introduces Crawford University into a strategically important dimension of professional education and strengthens our contribution to the development of skilled human resources for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.”
The VC also announced that the university had secured approval for three new postgraduate programmes: MSc Finance, MSc Marketing and MSc Mass Communication.
Beyond the approved programmes, he said the institution was pursuing further academic diversification through proposed programmes in Law, Music, Software Engineering and selected Education disciplines, as well as the unbundling of Mass Communication.
He, however, emphasised that the university would not compromise academic standards in its drive to expand its programme offerings.
“Our approach is deliberately measured. We understand that academic expansion must be accompanied by appropriate staffing, facilities, equipment, library resources, regulatory compliance and sustainable financing.
“We are therefore committed to expanding responsibly without compromising academic standards,” he stated.
Makinde disclosed that the university had embarked on a comprehensive institutional transformation agenda since he assumed office on October 6, 2025.
He said the CRAWFORD 2030 Development Agenda, built around 11 strategic pillars, was designed to reposition the institution for greater academic, financial, technological and international relevance.
The pillars include increasing internally generated revenue, accelerating infrastructural development, expanding academic programmes and open distance learning, improving staff and student welfare, strengthening industry collaboration and research, and optimising administrative and reporting systems.
Others include promoting godliness through campus programmes, strengthening institutional visibility and alumni engagement, expanding corporate social responsibility, developing international partnerships and exchange programmes, and improving campus security.
The VC also appealed to the Federal Government to extend Tertiary Education Trust Fund support to private universities, arguing that their students deserved equal opportunities to benefit from government-backed educational interventions.
He said private universities, which were approved by the Federal Government and contributed to the development of the country’s education sector, should not be excluded from interventions designed to strengthen tertiary education.
According to him, students in private universities are Nigerians and should enjoy the same opportunities as their counterparts in public institutions, particularly in accessing scholarships and other educational support schemes.
