As university holds 5th matriculation ceremony

By Jimitota Onoyume

Vice Chancellor of the Nigeria Maritime University , Okerenkoko , Delta state, Nigeria, Professor Flora Oluwafemi, has said the university is set for greater achievements and will come up with additional courses to maximize growth and development in the nation’s marine and blue economy.

Speaking at the 5th matriculation ceremony of the university, the Vice Chancellor Professor Oluwafemi said no fewer than one thousand and fifty eight students were admitted for the 2025/2026 academic session, noting that the figure was a significant improvement in the previous academic session.

She said the university has expanded its academic programme with the introduction of new faculties.

” With the signing into law of the bill establishing this university by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the university is now set for greater achievements and in the next few years the institution will record phenomenal expansion in its programmes “, she said

” As the registration exercise comes to an end , it is hoped that no less than one thousand and fifty eight students would have been registered into the thirteen academic programmes in three faculties of the university for the 2025/2026 academic session.

” We have expanded our programmes to eighteen with the introduction of a new programme in the faculty of science following recent approval by the National Universities Commission, NUC and students would be admitted into the science programmes with effect from the 2026/2027 academic session”, she said .

The Vice Chancellor further warned the new and old students of the university who are referred to as cadets , to shun cultism, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism and unionism.

She also advised the new students to stick strongly to the dress code of the university, adding that the school is patterned after para military tradition.

“The Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko is patterned after para military traditions and regimented. Consequently staff and students are not permitted to unionize or belong to campus gangs. In particular, membership of cult groups is prohibited and offenders will be summarily expelled”, she said.

The Registrar of the university , Dr Paul Bebenimibo, later invited the Vice Chancellor Professor Oluwafemi to administer the matriculation pledge on the matriculating students.

He also later invited the Vice Chancellor to declare the matriculation ceremony closed after the Deans of the various faculties had presented the new students for admission into the faculties.

Goodwill messages were given by JAMB and other institutions.

At a colorful march past by the cadets before the matriculation ceremony commenced formally , the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi who took the salute also urged them to remain committed to their studies.