The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede, has advised students to place premium value on time and other limited resources, noting that true success lies in maximizing what is scarce. The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin gave this charge while addressing the pioneer students of the African School of Economics (ASE), Abuja, during the institution’s inaugural matriculation ceremony held on April 23, 2025.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Oloyede emphasized that regardless of academic discipline or career path, the study of economics — whether formally or informally — underscores the importance of optimal resource use, especially time. He noted that time, like many essential elements in life, is finite and should be utilised wisely by every student hoping to make meaningful impact.
Drawing on his vast experience in academia and public service, the JAMB Registrar pointed out that the relatively small class sizes at the newly established university provide a rare opportunity for students to receive quality education and closer attention, a privilege often lacking in older institutions where large enrolment numbers limit personalised learning. He encouraged the students to fully harness the resources available to them and to live up to the expectations that their families and society have placed on them through the educational investment being made in their future.
Delivering the matriculation lecture titled “Education: The Pathway to Success in Life,” the Chairman of ASE’s Board of Trustees, Professor Michael Maduagwu, stressed the transformative power of education and the necessity for students to embrace wide reading as a tool for self-development. He praised the evolution of Information and Communication Technology for bringing limitless educational resources within reach and urged the students to take full advantage of such access.
Prof. Maduagwu also charged the pioneer students to uphold high moral standards, urging them to shun the vices that have plagued some Nigerian institutions, including examination malpractice, bribery, cultism, and sexual harassment. He called for a culture of excellence and integrity, urging both staff and students to set benchmarks that reflect the vision of the university. He also commended the Vice-Chancellor for providing what he described as inspiring and charismatic leadership.
In his address titled “Three Principles, Six Stories,” the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, presented the institution as one with a distinct mission tailored to address Africa’s developmental challenges. He noted that ASE is positioned to deliver functional education driven by partnership, innovation, and a value-based approach.
Prof. Adedimeji articulated the university’s five core values, which are encapsulated in the acronym IDEAS—Integrity, Discipline, Excellence, Accountability, and Service. He urged the students to anchor their academic journey on curiosity, resilience, and focus, which he identified as the foundational principles of success.
Going further, he advised them to nurture their character with six essential traits: faith, trust, hope, confidence, love, and a positive attitude. According to him, students should always remember that they are contributing to something greater than individual achievements—they are part of a movement aimed at societal transformation and African excellence.
The ceremony also featured the formal administration of the matriculation oath by the Vice-Chancellor, symbolizing the students’ official entry into the university community. The founder of ASE, Professor Leonard Wantchecon, gave a heartfelt welcome to the new intakes and shared his vision for a Pan-African institution of excellence that builds future leaders grounded in research, innovation, and ethics.
The event was further graced by notable personalities, including the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Dr. Soji Eniade; the Registrar of African Aviation and Aerospace University, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh, represented by Deputy Registrar Mr. Dennis Onwukwe; and Dr. Kate Maduagwu, wife of the Board Chairman, who all offered words of guidance and encouragement to the students.
With this historic matriculation, the African School of Economics has not only opened its doors to a new generation of learners but has also positioned itself as a beacon of educational reformation and leadership development on the continent.
