Miss Nancy Atorerefa Popo, the overall best graduating student of Wellspring University, Benin City, has recounted how she overcame a chronic autoimmune disorder to emerge as the best graduating student of the 2026 set.

Delivering her valedictory speech on behalf of her fellow graduands at the university’s 14th convocation ceremony, held at the main auditorium over the weekend, Popo, who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.98 in International Relations and Diplomacy, said that although her “body was in a constant battle with itself while studying,” she remained determined to succeed. She recalled that a thought kept encouraging her: “Atore, you cannot change the direction of the wind, but you can set the sail.”

According to her, the realisation helped her turn her health condition into a source of strength, teaching her that “excellence does not mean that you don’t have struggles, but that you’ll never surrender.”

She said: “I came to Wellspring University with not only my goals and aspirations, but I also came along with a chronic autoimmune disorder. My condition had few dos and plenty of don’ts. Part of those don’ts was that I had to take an umbrella with me every day because I was not meant to be under the sun.

“Knowing that my body was in a constant battle with itself gave me so many reasons to want to relent. But amid this great battle, one thing was certain, and one statement was profound.

“Although I would have to live with medication for the rest of my life, one thing is certain: if you have seen me stand here today, you are not just seeing my CGPA; you are seeing grace, you are seeing grit, and you are seeing a God who has kept me.”

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Ajayi, charged the graduands to uphold integrity and good character, stressing that their greatest asset was not merely their academic qualifications but also their personal values.

“Remember that your greatest asset is not merely your degree but your character. The world you are entering demands individuals who possess integrity, competence, creativity, resilience and compassion,” he said.

Highlighting the university’s achievements, Ajayi said the approval of its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, alongside other health-related courses, by the National Universities Commission (NUC) had positioned the institution to contribute significantly to healthcare education in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our determination to maintain high academic standards continues to yield excellent results. Several of our programmes have successfully secured full accreditation, while our professional programmes continue to receive recognition from the relevant professional bodies,” he added.

In his address, the Chancellor of the university, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, reminded the graduands that their degrees marked the beginning of greater responsibilities rather than the end of their education.

“The degree you receive today is not the end of your education — it is the beginning of your contribution. The world is waiting for you,” he said.

He added: “Today, the university has placed upon your shoulders the mantle of the educated, not merely as a reward for past efforts, but as a responsibility for the future. Wear it with honour.”