The University of Offa in Kwara State has announced a series of strategic academic partnerships with top-tier local and international institutions, aimed at bolstering its global competitiveness and research output.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, revealed that the university has signed collaboration agreements with New Horizon (a U.S.-based IT firm), High Stone University (USA), and the International University of Malaysia. These partnerships are designed to expose students to global best practices in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Speaking during the institution's 4th matriculation ceremony held on Friday, Prof. Gbolagade disclosed that the university is being positioned as a hub for academic excellence. The ceremony saw 351 students formally admitted for the 2025/2026 academic session out of over 400 applicants, following what the VC described as a "rigorous and merit-based selection process."

The event marked a significant milestone as the first matriculation presided over by Prof. Gbolagade since he assumed office on September 15, 2025. To mark the new era of leadership, the Vice-Chancellor unveiled a five-point development agenda focused on improving teaching quality, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering international relevance for the university's graduates.

"Our goal is to ensure that our students are not just locally relevant but globally competitive," Gbolagade stated, adding that the new IT partnerships would provide students with industry-standard certifications alongside their degrees.

At the ceremony, Gbolagade explained that over 400 candidates applied for admission into the university, but only 351 were offered admission after a rigorous and merit-based selection process in line with the institution's academic standard.

Describing the ceremony as historic, the Vice-Chancellor noted that it was the first matriculation exercise conducted under his leadership since assuming office on September 15, 2025.

He further unveiled a five-point development agenda designed to reposition the university for sustainable growth and international relevance.

The agenda, he said, focuses on financial sustainability, deployment of an IT-driven paperless system, improved staff and student welfare, provision of a conducive learning environment, and the promotion of policy-driven research with strong industry linkages.

"Our vision is to build a university that is not only academically sound but also innovative, entrepreneurial, and globally connected," Gbolagade said.

The Vice-Chancellor warned the newly admitted students to take their academic pursuits seriously, stressing that any student who records a Cumulative Grade Point Average below 1.0 at the end of an academic session would automatically lose his or her studentship.

He also reiterated the institution's zero tolerance for misconduct, cautioning against cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing, violence, and other acts capable of disrupting academic activities.

Gbolagade further assured students of opportunities available within the institution, including work-study programmes, entrepreneurship training, ICT skills development, student exchange programmes, access to foreign scholarships, and possible start-up grants upon graduation.

Earlier, the founder of the University, Alhaji Dr Abdulrazaq Oyewale, urged the students to remain focused and disciplined in their academic pursuit, advising them to take full advantage of the institution's learning facilities.

He reminded them of the sacrifices made by their parents and guardians to secure their education and charged them to justify the investment through hard work, good conduct, and academic excellence.