By Salako Blessing
On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was filled with excitement and merriment as hundreds of newly admitted students were formally matriculated into the institution. With bright smiles and overflowing blue gowns, the students gathered at the newly renovated Amphitheatre for the ceremony, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their educational journey.
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The ceremony was conducted in two sessions to accommodate all faculties. The first batch included students from the Faculties of Administration, Arts, Environmental Design and Management, Law, and Social Sciences. The second batch comprised the Faculties of Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Computing Science and Engineering, Dentistry, Education, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology.
VC Warns Against Social Vices
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, congratulated the new students, noting that they were selected from tens of thousands of applicants. He emphasised that OAU remains a centre of excellence and the ‘most beautiful campus in Africa’. In his address, he reiterated the University’s zero-tolerance policy towards social vices, warning that students found engaging in cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, cybercrime, and violent protests will face the full wrath of the law.
‘The degree you will eventually receive is awarded to those who have been found worthy in both character and learning,’ the VC charged the matriculating students. With parents and guardians watching with joy, the matriculating students, led by the Registrar, took the matriculation oath, promising to be obedient to the university authorities, observe all codes of conduct, and refrain from acts of violence.
Mixed Reactions Among Matriculants
OAUPeeps spoke with several matriculants who expressed immense joy. Precious, a student from the Department of Biochemistry, shared her excitement: ‘I feel great today, and the highlight of the day was wearing my matriculation gown. I have been waiting for this day for 3 years, and today my dreams are finally becoming a reality.’
Another student, Odunayo from the Faculty of Law, described her feelings as overwhelming. ‘I feel thrilled and filled with so much excitement,’ she said, adding that she looks forward to a school year filled with academic excellence and meaningful connections.
For Ayomikun, a student of Science Laboratory Technology, the day was both demanding and memorable. ‘Today has been the most stressful and memorable day of my life,’ she said, boldly stating her goal to graduate with a CGPA of 5.0. She noted that the day did not go entirely as planned due to a shift in the programme schedule, with the second session starting at 10:00 a.m. instead of the expected 11:30 a.m.
However, not all students shared the same level of novelty. Joseph, a former student who was readmitted to study Law, expressed a more reserved perspective. ‘I feel indifferent about the whole process because this is not my first time,’ he said. ‘It is better this time around because I will be studying the course I actually want.’
PG Students also Matriculated
The ceremony also saw the matriculation of postgraduate students, including high-profile figures such as Alhaji Ashiru Bola Oyebamiji, the former manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), highlighting OAU's continued pull as a centre of academic excellence.
With the ceremony concluded, yesterday marked the beginning of years filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities for the newest members of the ‘Great Ife’ community.
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