2
Tunji Olaopa, a Professor of Public Administration and Public Policy, will deliver a lecture marking the 17th convocation of Bells University of Technology (Bellstech), Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, on Friday, October 31st, 2025.
Prof. Olaopa, who is currently the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission in Abuja, is expected to speak on the topic: ‘Reorienting Nigerian Youths for National Development: Addressing Skill Mismatch and Unemployment.’
Professor Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, revealed this at a press briefing to announce activities for the university’s 17th convocation and 20th founders day anniversary.
The Vice Chancellor announced that Bellstech University will be graduating 1, 066 products at its 17th convocation ceremony, saying they have been worthy in their learning and character.
According to him, there were 272 postgraduates, 674 regulars, and 120 direct entry/top-up programmes.
Ojediran, said the university produced 114 First Class out of a total of 794 for First degree at the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 1st November, 2025.
It could be recalled that the university had at the 16th convocation produced 91 first-class graduates.
He stated further that a total of 272 Postgraduate which cut across five Colleges include College of Natural and Applied Sciences (COLNAS), College of Management Sciences (COLMANS), College of Environmental Sciences (COLENVS), College of Engineering (COLENG) and College of Food, Agricultural Science and Technology (COLFAST) will also graduate at the ceremony.
On other activities for the events, he said, “The 17th Technology Fair and 20th Anniversary ‘Green Technology and Climate Change in 21st Century Food Security: Way Forward’ will have Professor Olayinka Ohunakin, Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota as guest speaker.”
Furthermore, Prof Ojediran announced that the university will confer honorary award on two eminent Nigerians, Prof. Isaac Adebayo Adeyemi, Professor of food Science and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy Of Science, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology and Barrister Taiwo Afolabi, Managing Director SIFAX Group of Companies.”
He commended the Promoter of the University and ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for keeping the institution afloat through 17 uninterrupted convocations and 20 years of establishment as the pioneer private university of technology in the country and a hub of academic excellence.
He expressed gratitude to the entire academic staff of the university for their unobstructed journey for 20 years, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic’s global shutdown.
“This ceremony is the 17th and this is the 20th anniversary of coming into existence, as a child of vision. Our arrival as a Center of Excellence is marked by giant strides and progress, despite facing all types of challenges.
The VC stated that BellsTech’s performance improved from 98th in Africa (2014) to 41st in Sub-Saharan Africa (THE 2024) and was ranked 13th in Nigeria and 4th among Private Universities in the Sub-Saharan Africa ranking 2024.
He stated that Scopus-indexed outputs rose from 86 papers in 2014 to 1,450 by 2025, averaging a 27 percent increase annually, while the number of programs offered at the University increased from 28 (in 2014) to 52 across 5 colleges in 2025.
In Africa, two professors from the College of Engineering have been ranked among the top 2% of researchers. By 2024 rankings, we only had one professor on this list.
He stated that Bells University of Technology was the pioneer in running the undergraduate programmes: Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Food Science with Business, and Business Computing with IT.
Prof. Ojediran also spoke on the student population, stating that the population grew from about 2300 in 2014 to 4000 undergraduates and 700 postgraduates in 2025 while maintaining adequate staff-to-student ratio.
“Over 3,000 students have completed the Student Work Experience Programme (SWEP) in road construction, brick-making, computer assembly and electrical installations on campus, saving external labour costs and embedding practical skills.
“Our Graduates have won first place in four national innovation competitions since 2022, most recently the NAAS sustainable design contest 2024.”
He disclosed that the current management of the university has achieved the four-point mandate set in 2016 on the assumption of office namely: “To Re-engineer our physical space for a 21st-century University of Technology; Deepen visibility in enrolment, research and webometric presence; Strengthen industry linkage and community impact; and Produce graduates whose intellect is matched with empathy and entrepreneurial spirit.
Emphasising his appreciation to the promoter of the university, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for the confidence, support and guidance through the intricacies of University administration, Ojediran lauded the unquantifiable contributions of past and current members of Board of Trustees, Chancellors, Pro- Chancellors & members of Council are also deeply appreciated.
He lauded the current management for quality leadership, support provided and immense confidence reposed in the administration.
