| Sandra Ikegwuruka
Graduating students of Babcock University's NOVA Class of 2026 have been challenged to embrace innovation, resilience and ethical enterprise as they prepare to navigate an increasingly disruptive global landscape.
Delivering the 2026 Undergraduate Convocation Lecture at the University's Amphitheatre, the incoming Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Professor Adejoke Oyewunmi, urged the graduating class to adopt a "Renaissance Mindset" by becoming creators of solutions rather than passive participants in a rapidly changing world.
Speaking on the theme, "Renaissance Mindset: Innovating Your Identity and Enterprise," Professor Oyewunmi said graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter where students must intentionally redefine themselves through continuous learning, innovation and purpose-driven leadership.
"There are two pages in the life of every graduate, the student page and the blank page of a new mind and new identity," she said. "The future belongs to those who create value, not those who merely consume it." She described a renaissance mindset as one that transforms uncertainty into opportunity, stressing that innovation is not reserved for technology experts but a way of thinking that enables individuals across every profession to solve real-world problems. "Uncertainty is not the opposite of intelligence; it is the terrain on which intelligence is built," she noted, encouraging graduates to view disruption as fertile ground for creativity and enterprise. The legal scholar identified lifelong learning, resilience and digital literacy as the pillars of a future-ready identity, urging graduates to become the authors of their own stories rather than be defined by circumstances or outdated labels.
She challenged them to cultivate curiosity, build strategic networks, embrace failure as a learning opportunity and pursue success without compromising integrity. "Do not build your financial security on the exploitation of others. Build honestly, lead with conscience and let enterprise create value beyond yourself," she charged.
Professor Oyewunmi further encouraged the graduates to see artificial intelligence as an enabler of human creativity rather than a threat, noting that judgment, imagination and ethical leadership remain uniquely human strengths.
Professor Oyewunmi capped her presentation with a reminder that innovation is a daily discipline rather than a job title, noting: “The canvas is waiting to be painted with your innovative ideas. Practice innovation as a daily discipline. Never allow fear to limit your growth, because disruption is not your enemy; it is the fertile ground upon which innovation is born”.
The lecture formed part of activities marking Babcock University's 2026 Undergraduate Convocation, equipping graduates with practical insights for leadership, entrepreneurship and responsible citizenship as they prepare to make meaningful contributions to society.