Graduands of the maiden convocation of Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) have commended the management for upholding academic excellence and instilling strong moral values in students.
Speaking to journalists at the convocation ceremony for the 2023/2024 academic session, some of the graduates noted that despite prevailing societal challenges, the university had distinguished itself as a model institution for shaping character and promoting academic success.
According to them, BOUESTI provided all necessary facilities to aid learning while ensuring an uninterrupted academic calendar, a feat they described as commendable in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The overall best graduating student, Salam Qulzum Omodolapo of the Department of Economics, who finished with a CGPA of 4.82, expressed gratitude to the university management. She pledged to be a worthy ambassador of BOUESTI while other exceptional students also received special awards for their outstanding performances.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who was present at the ceremony, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education and entrepreneurial development. He stated that education remains at the core of his government’s agenda, with investments in infrastructure and human capital development aimed at empowering the youth. 
Addressing the graduands, Oyebanji, who serves as the Visitor to the university, congratulated them on their academic feats. He lauded BOUESTI’s rapid growth and pledged continued support for the institution to enhance its status as a premier citadel of learning.
Vice-Chancellor of BOUESTI, Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa, highlighted the institution’s remarkable progress since its transition from a College of Education four years ago. He revealed that BOUESTI had recently been ranked the best university of education in Sub-Saharan Africa, a recognition of its academic and infrastructural advancements.
Adeoluwa expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for various intervention programmes that had helped address the university’s challenges. He called for continued government and stakeholder support to ensure sustained growth and global competitiveness. 
Chancellor of BOUESTI, Chief Wole Olanipekun, expressed optimism about the university’s future, noting that it was well-positioned to achieve greater academic excellence. He urged the graduates to remain focused and ambitious as they embarked on the next phase of their lives.
Guest speaker, Prof. Akinjide Osuntokun, challenged the university’s Senate to move beyond traditional degree programs and embrace innovation. He also cautioned against the federal government’s indiscriminate establishment of universities, emphasizing the need for proper planning and adequate funding of existing institutions.
The convocation ceremony witnessed the award of degrees to 1,109 students across various disciplines. Additionally, four distinguished personalities, including Enugu State Governor Dr. Nduibisi Mbah, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, and Senator Sani Musa, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to education and national development.