EROMOSELE OMOIKE
LAGOS – NIGERIA In the vibrant halls of Caleb University in Imota, Lagos, the 15th Convocation Ceremony on February 18, 2026, wasn’t just a rite of passage, it was a powerful testament to female excellence. Under the theme of resilience and divine purpose, the event spotlighted how girls once again dominated academics, claiming a striking majority of the top honors and reinforcing their unstoppable momentum in higher education. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olalekan Asikhia hailed the graduates as “ambassadors of innovation and godly character,” with 1,924 students crossing the stage: 1,625 undergraduates and 299 postgraduates, including 22 PhD recipients.
At the forefront was Gbemisola Oshikoya Adefehinti, a shining star from the Department of Microbiology and Industrial Biotechnology, who achieved a perfect CGPA of 5.00 to become the overall best graduating student. Her triumph symbolized the broader narrative of the day: girls leading the charge in academic prowess. Out of the 96 First-Class honors awarded to undergraduates which is a record for the institution and a remarkable majority were earned by female students, showcasing their discipline, intellect, and leadership across faculties.
In the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Gbemisola’s flawless performance set the tone, while in Cybersecurity, a female graduate clinched the departmental best with a 4.79 CGPA. Mass Communication saw another woman, Christiana Alabi-Akande, top the postgraduate category with a 4.71 CGPA. This dominance extended to other fields like Computer Science and Business Administration, where high-achieving women outnumbered their male peers in top spots. As Prof. Asikhia noted, “The unstoppable force of determined young women is shaping tomorrow,” highlighting how girls’ consistent outperformance reflects societal shifts toward gender empowerment in education.
The postgraduate realm echoed this success, with 46 distinctions, 143 merits, and 88 passes distributed among the 299 awardees. Standouts included Abdulrasaq Shomope as the overall best postgraduate in Computer Science, but female graduates like those in Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Chemistry (boasting First-Class MScs with CGPAs like 4.86) further underscored the gender trend.
Glamour met academia as celebrities celebrated family milestones. Nollywood icon Yemi Solade proudly watched his daughter, Kofoworola Solade, graduate in Mass Communication, her journey from head girl to degree holder sparking social media cheers and blending star power with scholarly achievement.
A spiritual highlight came with the honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree bestowed on Pastor (Mrs.) Foluke Adeboye, wife of RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Recognized as an educationist and moral beacon, her presence amplified the event’s focus on integrity and service.
Gbemisola’s valedictory address, titled “Positioning Your God-Given Potentials for Global Impact,” captivated the audience. In her inspiring words, she urged fellow graduates to harness their innate abilities amid Nigeria’s economic uncertainties: “We must maximize our God given potentials to create global relevance and impact. In a world of challenges, let resilience and faith guide us to become solution providers and nation-builders.” Her speech, delivered with poise after receiving her award, resonated deeply, encouraging peers to step boldly into the future.
With 719 Second-Class Upper, 719 Second-Class Lower, and 82 Third-Class undergraduates completing the undergraduate tally, the ceremony closed on a high note. As caps flew and applause thundered, Caleb University’s 15th Convocation stood as a beacon of hope, where girls’ dominance in academics not only stole the show but also paved the way for a more equitable tomorrow.
