AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence seven additional academic programmes beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The new programmes are Nursing Science, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Science, Community Health Science, Christian Religious Studies, Music and Performing Arts.
The Chancellor of the faith-based institution and President of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Archbishop Francis Wale Oke, announced the development on Wednesday during the university’s fifth convocation ceremony, calling on candidates to take advantage of the progress made by applying for admission in the university.
Oke said the approval followed a thorough assessment of the university’s preparedness and its fulfilment of the necessary requirements for the smooth commencement of the programmes.
A total of 148 students graduated from the institution, with 25 earning First-Class Honours and 69 obtaining Second-Class Upper Division.
Adelaja Fiyinfololuwa Temidayo, a graduate of International Relations, emerged as the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.85 on a 5.00 scale. She attributed her achievement to God’s grace, quality tutelage and commitment to her studies.
In his convocation lecture titled, ‘From degree to relevance: thriving in a skill-driven world,’ Reverend Ayodeji Olabode stressed the need for graduates to acquire practical skills to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive global environment.
He noted that academic qualifications alone might no longer guarantee success, urging graduates to complement their university education with innovation, creativity and the ability to adapt to changing workplace demands.
In his address, Archbishop Oke congratulated the graduating students and commended the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Dapo Asaju, the Board of Trustees, management and staff for their contributions to the institution’s growth.
The clergyman expressed gratitude to God for preserving the students throughout their academic journey, noting that none of them died, was kidnapped or was hit by stray bullets while studying at the university.
He said the institution’s vision was given to him by God in 2006, adding that it took 11 years of determination and hard work to actualise the dream and secure its operating licence.
Oke, who is also the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, urged the graduates to remain resilient in the face of life’s challenges, expressing confidence that they would excel and make the university proud.
He added that PCU had continued to attract students from different parts of the country and would not compromise its commitment to academic excellence.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Dapo Asaju, criticised the exclusion of students of private universities from accessing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), arguing that students in all categories of universities should have equal opportunities to benefit from the scheme.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adejumo, said the NUC approval was formally communicated to the university in a letter with reference number NUC/AP/P70/VOL.1/24.
He urged parents and prospective students to consider PCU as their first-choice institution, disclosing that the university had introduced a flexible school fees payment arrangement that allows students to pay in four instalments of 50, 20, 20 and 10 per cent.
Also speaking, the wife of the Chancellor, Reverend Dr Tokunbo Oke, commended the university for placing premium on faith and character development, saying a Christ-centred foundation would help individuals thrive and prosper.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of Bowen, Caleb, Dominion, Dominican, Mountain Top, Lead City and MacPherson universities.
