Old students of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, have advised the 2026 graduating class to prioritise skills acquisition alongside their academic degrees, stressing that adaptability, technological proficiency, and entrepreneurial skills are critical to succeeding in today’s competitive world.

Speaking during the university’s career and education fair, some former students urged graduates to leverage information and communication technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), public speaking, and other practical skills to complement their academic qualifications.

A 2006 nursing graduate, Caleb Aromah, emphasised the need for graduating students to leverage their ICT skills to build robust careers.

He encouraged the students to remain resilient, diligent, courageous, and focused, noting that life after university can be challenging.

Aromah, who works with the MasterCard Foundation, said, “It usually breaks my heart when I am conducting interviews for job seekers, and many of them are without ICT skills. How do you leverage a world that is now technology-driven to stay competitive and build an excellent career for yourself?”

On her part, a 2015 Computer Science graduate of the university, Amanda Dara-Afolabi, urged the students not to be anxious, but to be assertive, break new grounds, and explore opportunities to build a better future.

Associate President of Alumni, Connectivity and Philanthropy, Jonathan Dangana, said the gathering was aimed at preparing students for the realities outside the university walls.

“Sometimes what you have documented that you want to be may not be it again. You may not eventually practice what you studied. We have brought these alumni to share real-life experience and insights with you.

“The essence is to continue to make our graduates responsible and impactful in nation-building, while reducing unemployment in our society,” Dangana stated.

The Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, urged students to combine their academic knowledge with practical skills to become globally relevant graduates.

“Your degree is quite important, but it may not necessarily open the door. It is not just your degree that will make way for you, but also your skills. In the scriptures, the first access that David had to the palace was not because he killed Goliath, but because he possessed musical skills,” he said.

Ojewole stressed that graduates must be ethical, professional, and entrepreneurial,

“Be research-focused, data-driven, and strive to be the very best. We are determined to raise alumni who are globally relevant, and who will create wealth rather than just wait for paychecks,” he added.

On his part, Vice-President for Advancement and Development, Dr Olaniyi Arije, pledged the institution’s commitment to continue raising the bar of academic excellence and research for societal impact.