The Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Prof Ademola Tayo, on Saturday, dismissed claims that private universities indiscriminately award First Class honours to graduates without merit.
Prof. Tayo made this statement during the university’s annual end-of-the-year gathering for journalists nationwide.
He emphasised that any graduate with a First Class degree from Babcock University had earned it through hard work and dedication.
He said, “God has been so good to Babcock University. We are eagerly awaiting this year’s Law School results.
However, of the 100 students we sent to the Law School last year, 22 graduated with First Class honours. Some even left the university with Second Class Upper degrees but achieved First Class at the Law School.
“This is proof that the public perception of private universities handing out first-class degrees is not true for Babcock University.
“I know of many Babcock graduates at Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, and Harvard universities excelling with distinctions. Last year, about 12 of our alumni were in one LLM class at a university in Canada. The list of their achievements is endless, and we are determined to maintain these standards, by God’s grace.”
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the university’s commitment to appreciating the contributions of journalists to society, adding that their advocacy has positively influenced policies.
He said, “During the debate on whether the minimum age for university admission should be 16 or 18, journalists played a crucial role with various reports and editorials, which eventually led to the government reversing its decision.
“On the issue of staggering electricity bills paid by higher institutions, you were at the forefront of the discourse, pushing the government to provide relief. Similarly, you have been vocal about the Federal Government’s tax reform policies, which impact all sectors. Your efforts are shaping society for good, and we commend you for your dedication to national progress.”
Prof. Tayo also called on the government to extend electricity subsidies to private universities, lamenting that despite investing in solar-powered streetlights across the campus, the institution still spends between N250 million and N300 million monthly on electricity.
Reflecting on the university’s achievements over the past decade, he highlighted milestones such as the establishment of a cutting-edge entrepreneurship training centre in Ekiti State, the Babcock Business School in Lagos, and the launch of the Centre for Open Distance Learning, among others.
