Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, has unveiled plans to deepen alumni engagement and strengthen institutional development through innovation, mentorship and philanthropy.
The university disclosed this on Monday during its Alumni Connectivity Programme, an interactive session organised for over 300 members of the 2025/2026 postgraduate graduating class, otherwise known as the Nova Class, ahead of the institution’s convocation.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the Associate Vice President, Alumni Connectivity and Philanthropy, Dr Jonathan Dangana, said the initiative was designed to expose graduating students to the responsibilities and opportunities that come with becoming members of the university’s alumni association.
According to him, the programme marked a departure from the university’s traditional alumni engagement model.
“Innovation is the only answer to growth. Over the years, we have been bringing alumni to speak to alumni, but we realised that it was time to innovate so that we can grow.
“For the first time, we are bringing those graduating tomorrow into the alumni building for them to see what other alumni have done so they can begin to think about what their own contribution to the alumni association and the university will be,” Dangana said.
He stressed that alumni contributions should not be measured solely by financial donations, noting that mentorship, professional guidance and voluntary service were equally valuable.
“Once you are an alumnus, there is always a place for you to contribute to the success of Babcock University. It does not have to be your money or your status. There is always something embedded in you that Babcock needs to become better.
“It could be a word of advice. It could be mentoring another graduate. There are a million and one ways to contribute to the growth of the university,” he added.
Dangana disclosed that the university was considering incentives to encourage alumni to maintain long-term relationships with the institution, including possible benefits for their families.
“We are already putting plans together. It is not yet a working document, but we are asking ourselves how the university can also benefit alumni.
“We want to see how we can contribute something to the next generation that concerns them. We are looking at options, including possible benefits for their children and families, and we hope those proposals will see the light of day,” he said.
On the suspension of the alumni bursary scheme, Dangana explained that the decision was taken to enable the association to invest in critical infrastructure.
“You can see that where we are standing today is the outcome of that suspension. We did not suspend it to organise parties. We suspended it for a capital project.
“Now that we have created the infrastructure, when people begin to commit themselves to it, we can reactivate the bursary scheme. Resources are scarce, so we must continue to find innovative ways of remaining relevant in the lives of our alumni,” he stated.
He disclosed that the university currently has about 35,000 active alumni on its database.
Also speaking, the Career Services Lead in the Office of Alumni Connectivity and Philanthropy, Dr Tutu Habib, described the programme as an avenue for reflection, constructive feedback and strengthening relationships between the university and its graduates.
Habib said the institution considers alumni a strategic asset for institutional growth and career development.
“Today’s programme is a reflection session where we engage our postgraduate students, receive constructive criticism and feedback on how to improve our services and systems.
“The alumni network is a powerful leverage for any institution to raise funds, execute projects and build strategic partnerships. We want our graduates to leave feeling empowered, valued and with a sense of belonging,” she said.
She added that the alumni network would also support the university’s newly established career services unit through mentorship, internships and employment opportunities for students.
“We expect to build a formidable alumni network that will contribute meaningfully to the development of the institution while promoting the values of excellence, integrity and service for which Babcock is known,” she added.
One of the graduating doctoral students and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Monday Ubani, described his academic journey at the institution as challenging but rewarding.
Ubani, who completed a PhD in Law, recounted how he had to suspend his studies after the death of his father while struggling with a compulsory statistics course.
“Lawyers are not naturally good with mathematics, so statistics was a difficult experience for me. My father died during that period, and I had to withdraw from the programme.
“When I returned, I paid greater attention to the course and, by God’s grace, I eventually earned an A in Statistics,” he said.
The senior lawyer also revealed that he lost his mother while writing his doctoral thesis but persevered to complete the programme.
“When I was writing my thesis, my mother also died. It was another difficult moment, but God helped me to complete my work. Tomorrow, by God’s grace, I will be hooded at the convocation,” he said.
Ubani commended the university for organising activities that encouraged networking among graduating students and alumni.
“This week’s activities, including the alumni engagement, networking sessions, football and other programmes, have been very exciting. I have enjoyed every bit of the experience,” he said.
He urged alumni to play a more active role in supporting universities through funding, mentorship and employment opportunities.
“Government alone cannot adequately fund higher education. Alumni should pool resources, mobilise stakeholders and philanthropists to support the university.
“Those who are already established should also help younger graduates with employment opportunities. Alumni have a major role to play in the growth and sustainability of their universities,” he said.