Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, has kicked off its 5th convocation ceremony with no fewer than 79 students bagging first-class degrees out of a total graduating cohort of 323.

Addressing journalists yesterday, during a media briefing at the university’s Celebration Arena to flag off the week-long activities, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Clement Kolawole, revealed that the institution’s academic rigour and innovative learning has continued to yield exceptional outcomes.

Leading the pack of achievers are two standout graduates who recorded a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.00: Osemen Joy Esezobor from Computer Science and Osayuware Toluwalase Osazuwa from International Relations.

Providing a breakdown of the graduation figures, the vice chancellor noted that the 323 graduands span across the university’s newly restructured academic faculties. Alongside the 79 First Class honours, 147 students finished in the Second-Class Upper Division, 48 in the Second-Class Lower Division, and 10 in the Third-Class Division. Looking at faculty distribution, 161 students graduated from the Faculty of Basic Medical and Applied Sciences, 109 from the Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, and 53 from the Faculty of Nursing Sciences.

Explaining the timing of the event, Prof. Kolawole addressed why the institution is hosting its 5th convocation only a few months after the 4th edition held in March. He described it as a strategic, student-first reorganisation approved by the Governing Council.

“Management recommended and the council approved that we bring our convocation closer to the time our students actually conclude their academic programme instead of waiting almost a year. This enables them to proceed promptly for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, meet deadlines for admission into foreign universities, and ensures they are physically present to celebrate their graduation,” Kolawole stated.

The vice chancellor also highlighted major institutional milestones, most notably the elevation of Prof. Modupeade Adetunji (Food Microbiology & Mycotoxicology) as the university’s first homegrown professor. Furthermore, he noted that the Senate has successfully restructured academic units into four distinct faculties, Management and Social Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing Sciences, and National & Applied Sciences, while embedding compulsory skill acquisition and digital literacy partnerships that have already enabled some students to secure international remote jobs before graduation.

Running under the theme “Convoking a Galaxy of Trinity Stars – Shining the Trinity Light to the World,” the week’s robust schedule continues with professional inductions. Tuesday, October 13, will feature the Nursing Science induction by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) alongside student activities, while Wednesday, October 14, will host the Medical Laboratory Science induction by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and an alumni homecoming.

The celebrations will climax on Thursday, October 15, with the Convocation Lecture and a Thanksgiving Service, leading into the grand finale on Friday, October 16, featuring the official conferment of degrees and presentation of prizes.

In his remarks, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Pastor Samuel Olatunji, commended the faculty, parents, and council members for building a dynamic, value-driven 21st-century institution. He emphasised that the core values of integrity, excellence, and faith continue to define Trinity University’s graduates as they step out to impact society.