The Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Professor Jonathan Babalola, has identified rising operational costs, energy demands, inadequate student accommodation and investment in research infrastructure as major challenges confronting private universities in Nigeria.
Professor Babalola, who spoke during a news briefing ahead of the institution’s 21st convocation ceremony, said private universities must embrace continuous innovation, careful planning and prudent resource management to address the challenges and sustain quality education.
He also identified changing technological demands as another critical issue requiring increased investment, noting that universities must continue to adapt to emerging developments to remain competitive and meet the expectations of modern education.
Meanwhile, the institution has announced that 218 students will graduate with First Class Honours at its 21st convocation, while a total of 1,443 students, comprising 1,345 undergraduates and 98 postgraduate students, will receive various degrees.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that 657 undergraduate students obtained Second Class Upper Division, 315 graduated with Second Class Lower Division, 666 earned Third Class, while three students graduated with Pass.
He added that 86 students graduated from the university’s MBBS programme under the classified degree system.
Babalola said the latest graduates had brought the total number of students produced by the institution since its inaugural convocation in 2006 to 20,177.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that Bowen University secured full accreditation for eight academic programmes following assessments by the National Universities Commission.
He also announced that the university recorded a 100 per cent increase in the admission quota for its Law programme following a professional accreditation exercise conducted by the Council of Legal Education in April 2026.
