Oyo State Celebrates Excellence at 19th Convocation Ceremony of College of Health Science and Technology

 

Oyo State Reaffirms Commitment to Health Sector Reforms as 1,254 Graduands Celebrate Milestone at 19th Convocation Ceremony of College of Health Science and Technology

The Oyo State Government has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to strengthening the health sector, as 1,254 students graduated at the 19th Convocation Ceremony of the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

The event, which coincided with the College’s 92nd Founder’s Day Anniversary, had in attendance the representative of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, DSc, GSSRS — who served as Visitor and Special Guest of Honour - the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu. In his address, the Governor, through his representative, praised the graduands for their resilience, describing their journey as “a celebration of purpose and the indomitable human spirit.”

Governor Makinde stated:

“You do not merely leave with certificates — you step out as healthcare champions. Our administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for you to thrive, through deliberate investments in infrastructure, welfare, and the recruitment of healthcare professionals.”

Also addressing the gathering, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who served as Special Guest of Honour, lauded the College for its sustained academic excellence and expressed confidence in the capacity of the graduating students to impact Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

“This is not just a personal victory for our graduands; it is a victory for the entire health sector in Oyo State. We are investing in capacity building, digital health innovation, and a robust operational plan to reposition healthcare delivery,” Dr. Ajetunmobi said.

She urged the new professionals to embrace opportunities within Nigeria, encouraging them to become innovators and leaders in the local healthcare system, rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

In her remarks, the Provost of the College, Pharm. Oluyemisi Oyewo, commended Governor Makinde for his transformative support to the institution, which has led to remarkable progress, including the recruitment of academic and non-academic staff, new programme accreditations, and infrastructural upgrades.

A total of 1,254 students graduated, including:

• 585 from the 2022/2023 set, with 90 distinctions;

• 669 from the 2023/2024 set, with 141 distinctions.

The Provost highlighted the achievements of the College, such as the introduction of six new programmes, accreditation of multiple professional courses, consistent pass rates of 80–100% in licensing examinations, and the relocation of the Okeho satellite campus to its permanent site. She, however, appealed to the State Government for increased funding, improved infrastructure, and the constitution of a new Governing Council.

The well-attended ceremony featured dignitaries including the Head of Service of Oyo State, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde; a representative of the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); Directors from the Ministries of Health and Education; the Chairman of the House Committee on Health; the Provost of the Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences; and other distinguished guests.

Key highlights of the event included the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding students. Notably, the Best Graduating Students for the 2023 and 2024 sets were:

• Akande Ifeoluwa (2023 Set, Pharmacy Technician)

• Ojo Bisola (2024 Set, Pharmacy Technician)

Both graduates earned an exceptional CGPA of 3.99 out of 4.00 — setting an academic benchmark for excellence in the College.