Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Nigeria’s premier private university, on Saturday 24th January, 2026 formally inducted its new students for the 2025/2026 academic session in a colourful matriculation ceremony that doubled as a reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and compulsory on-campus living.
The event, held at the university’s main auditorium, saw over 1,300 fresh students officially welcomed into the academic community. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, christened the incoming class the “TITANIUM” — a symbolic name chosen to reflect strength, resilience, and high aspirations.
In his address, Prof. Ezemonye congratulated the matriculants for joining “a community of scholars dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, embracing diversity, and upholding mutual respect.” He explained the deliberate symbolism behind the “Titanium” branding: “The name titanium is a powerful and deliberate choice, rich with meaning and symbolic significance perfectly suited to christen the academic neophytes. To be named ‘Titanium’ is to be described as a class of fortune and high frontiers.”
The Vice-Chancellor urged the new students to fully embrace IUO’s culture of excellence, maintain integrity in all endeavours, and take full advantage of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated mentorship programmes. He emphasized that living on campus is non-negotiable, reinforcing the institution’s long-standing policy of compulsory student residency in designated hostels.
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Prof. Andrew Haruna, FNAL, FLAN, Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU). Speaking on the theme “Career Enhancement Through Diversity and Inclusive Initiatives,” Prof. Haruna encouraged the students to resist negative peer pressure and view the university environment as a centre for discipline, learning, and character building.
He particularly praised IUO’s structured campus systems, noting that mandatory on-campus residency significantly enhances supervision, security, and holistic student development. “Compulsory residence is not just a rule—it is a deliberate strategy for fostering growth in a controlled, supportive setting,” Haruna stated.
Igbinedion University has consistently enforced its no-off-campus-living policy, with official guidelines stating that accommodation in university hostels is compulsory for every student, and residing elsewhere is not permitted. University authorities describe this approach as essential for maintaining academic focus, safety, and community cohesion.
The matriculation marks the beginning of what university leadership hopes will be another year of outstanding achievements for the “Titanium” class, building on IUO’s reputation as a leading centre of knowledge and innovation in Nigeria.
As the new academic session unfolds, the university continues to position itself as a model for private tertiary education, blending rigorous academics with strong values and structured student life.
