The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, in the Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, is set to hold its maiden convocation for two sets of 266 graduates on Saturday, November 29.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrahman Salawu, made the disclosure during a pre-convocation news conference held in the university’s chamber in Osara on Thursday.

Mr Salawu disclosed that 31 out of the 266 graduating students made first class, which he described as a feat worthy of celebration by the state university making waves in science and technology.

The VC said that the forthcoming convocation was a public manifestation of the faith, vision, and investment of the Kogi State Government, management, council members, staff, students, parents, and the entire state community in the noble enterprise of higher education.

“Our legendary and visionary leader, the former Governor of KogibStatw, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, swiftly rose to the challenge of providing opportunity for thousands of residents yearning for higher education. The mandate of CUSTECH includes: training highly skilled human resources in science, engineering, computing, applied sciences, and related disciplines.

“To engage in cutting-edge research that addresses the immediate developmental needs of Kogi State, Nigeria, and the wider world, and foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills among students.”

He added that the institution, which started with only two faculties with 11 foundation programmes, is home to 57 approved academic programmes, 44 academic departments, eight faculties, and one college, with more than 5,000 students.

According to him, CUSTECH’s outstanding expansion—achieved within just five years—places the institution among the fastest-growing universities in Nigeria.

“These achievements have been made possible through massive investments by the state government in physical infrastructure, modern laboratories, digital facilities, lecture theatres, staff offices, student hostels, and the beautiful campus environment we see today.

“It is against this backdrop of vision and growth that we gather today to witness the graduation of the first and second sets of students—the very first fruits of the CUSTECH dream.”

Mr Salawu stressed that the strength of the university was boosted by partnerships with several organisations, including the Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI), Okene; Unicane Industries Limited, Lokoja; and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe.

Others are Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Ajaokuta, Mangal Cement Company, and the Kogi State Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES), amongst others.

The VC reaffirmed his commitment, and that of the entire university community, to making CUSTECH a world-class institution where knowledge meets innovation, where research solves problems, and where graduates make a positive impact on lives.

He congratulated the graduands and wished them success in their future endeavours as good ambassadors of the institution. 

(NAN)