A Day of Dreams and New Beginning at FCE-ABK

The air was thick with anticipation and a hint of nervous excitement last Tuesday, 5 May  as the oldest tertiary institution in Ogun State, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta officially welcomed its pioneer set of Degree students at its maiden matriculation ceremony.

For an institution marking its first undergraduate intake following the Federal Government’s dual mandate policy permitting selected Federal Colleges of Education to run Degree programmes alongside the NCE programmes traditionally offered in such Institutions.

The event was less a routine academic formality and more a statement of intent.

Dressed in academic gowns, 538 students comprising 326 UTME and 212 Direct Entry candidates admitted into the College’s degree programme filled the College’s Aduke Maina hall, taking the matriculation oath under the watch of management, parents, and dignitaries. 

The ceremony marked the official induction of the 2025/2026 academic session into the institution’s academic community.

Dawn of new era

The College Provost, Dr. Rafiu Adekola Soyele, described the day as “the dawn of a new era” for the 50-year-old institution. He said the introduction of the degree programme was an added responsibility that requires greater commitment from both staff and students.

“To our pioneer degree students, you are trailblazers. You carry the weight of history and the expectation of setting a high standard for those who will come after you,” Dr. Soyele said. 

“Do not see success as accidental. Shun all forms of misconduct and commit yourselves fully to your studies.”

The Provost also used the opportunity to inform the gathering that the Matriculation would be the last he would preside over as Provost, expressing hope that his successor would advance the College toward becoming a full-fledged degree-awarding institution.

A different kind of first day

Unlike what we've experienced before, the maiden matriculation had a raw, unpolished energy with students eager to make statement of intent

“I’m proud to be among the first set of degree student,” said Ayoade Marvellous, admitted to study Educational Management. “It feels like we’re building something together. We look forward to having a conducive learning environment.”

"I feel so glad and lucky to be admitted into this great citadel of learning" Dawodu Esther, admitted to study Library and Information studies/Social Studies.

Akeem Temitope, political science, 'I put everything unto the hands of God, while I look forward to having 5:00 GPA at the end of 100 level."

"The governing council chairman has urged us to join hands in making history together, we can only achieve this by studying regularly".

"I am very excited to become a degree student of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta. I believe first class is achieveable so far I put in my best to my studies" Salako Oluwabukola of Guidance and Counselling.

For the institution’s leadership, the challenge now shifts from recruitment to retention. 

Setting the tone

The College Registrar, Mr. Olabode O. Tonade, charged the students to uphold the core values of discipline, integrity, and academic excellence that define Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.

Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr Alex Eyengho, urged the matriculants to be good ambassadors of the College. 

"By being the first, you have already etched your names in the annals of this institution. Do not disappoint" he stated

In a brief chat with the College Director of Information, Mr Anthony Ogundipe, he stated that past affiliation with University of Ibadan and use of our College as a study centre for Lagos State University has helped prepare the College for this new phase.

 "We are hoping to be the bring out the best in them". We've done that over the last 50 years for NCE graduates and our name is known everywhere in Nigeria and outside the shores of this nation.

"Now we are aspiring to also excel even better than what we have done with the degree students. This first set will be our litmus test to showcase that which we know we have so that among the committee of Colleges of Education and those who are offering degrees in Nigeria.

"Our products will be one of the best so that people will realise that it is not an aberration for Colleges of Education to be degree awarding institution."