By Olayinka Latona

LAGOS — The Chancellor of Maranatha University, Emeka Ngubo, has urged newly admitted students to uphold integrity and position themselves as agents of national transformation, as the institution unveiled plans to overhaul its entrepreneurship curriculum.

Speaking at the university’s fourth matriculation ceremony, Ngubo told the fresh undergraduates that their admission marked the beginning of a purposeful journey to become “agents of change” in society.

He announced a comprehensive review of the institution’s entrepreneurship programme in line with the Federal Government’s emphasis on skills development. According to him, the revised structure will run concurrently with students’ degree programmes, enabling graduates to earn three qualifications—a first degree, a diploma in entrepreneurship, and a diploma in Theology.

“We have also introduced a compulsory course titled Business Management Technique (BMT) for all final-year students to prepare them for efficiency in the corporate world,” he said.

Ngubo highlighted the university’s academic progress, noting that it has secured full operational licence from the Federal Government, with all 27 degree programmes across six faculties accredited by the National Universities Commission.

He added that plans were underway to establish a Faculty of Education with eight degree programmes, while new courses in Guidance and Counselling, Music, and Theatre Arts, as well as part-time degree options, are scheduled to commence in the 2026 academic session.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Rufus Akinyele, stressed that the university maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, warning students against drug abuse, violence, examination malpractice, and misuse of artificial intelligence in academic work.

“Examination misconduct, in any form, is a negation of integrity and will not be condoned,” he said.

Akinyele also announced that the 70 per cent class attendance policy would be strictly enforced from the second semester, adding that failure to attend chapel services would attract immediate suspension.

He appealed to parents to support the institution’s disciplinary standards and encourage their wards to participate in its professional and entrepreneurial programmes.

The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the university’s Centre for Professional Skills Acquisition has commenced programmes with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), noting that a student recently passed all four examination papers at the first attempt.

Additionally, the university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Security Studies in Nigeria to provide practical training for students in Cyber Security and Criminology.

Akinyele also sought parental support for plans to introduce Chinese language studies, alongside the existing French programme, to enhance students’ global competitiveness.