The Vice-Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, has identified diligence, passion, and perseverance as key ingredients needed to achieve academic excellence.

Olaniyan, who disclosed this while addressing the newly admitted students for the 2024/2025 academic session, restated the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, personal growth and community engagement.

The VC pointed out that of the over 4,000 candidates who applied to the institution in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 3,474 were admitted, but only 2,887 students officially matriculated across the five faculties.

He said: “Though our university has the capacity to admit over 10,000 students, this year, the Faculty of Science has the highest enrollment, with 737 students, while Vocational Innovation and Engineering has the lowest, with 452 students.”

While urging the students to shun vices and acts capable of causing a breach of peace, Olaniyan emphasised the need for them to guard their freedom jealously, using it responsibly and avoiding negative influences.

“Your freedom is not a license to engage in unworthy activities. Use it wisely for personal and academic growth,” he cautioned.

He assured the students that the university would provide all the necessary resources to help them become intellectuals who can compete globally.

He assured the students that the university remains committed to providing sound academic and moral training, adding that their matriculation marks the beginning of a strong foundation for their future.

The guest speaker, who is a former Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic, Prof. Olatunde Fawole, urged the students to remain focused, shunning distractions and indiscipline.

“Always remember why you are in this university. Choose your friends wisely to avoid bad influences,” he advised.

Fawole also emphasised the importance of discipline, urging students to obey the institution’s rules and report any case of intimidation, harassment, or bullying through appropriate channels.

“The school will not tolerate any act of indiscipline. Any violation of the rules will attract sanctions,” he warned.