EDUCATION

Oyedepo expresses confidence in Covenant University’s global rise

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2026

Ige Adekunle

The Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Dr David Oyedepo, has expressed confidence that the institution will continue to advance and gain greater global recognition.

Oyedepo stated this at the university’s 24th Founder’s Day Anniversary Thanksgiving held in Ota on Thursday.

He described the anniversary as a celebration of 24 years of God’s faithfulness, institutional growth and remarkable achievements.

Speaking on the theme, “Seven Hidden Treasures of Thanksgiving,” Oyedepo described the university as a divine project founded and sustained by Jesus Christ.

“I strongly believe that nothing can hinder the university’s continued advancement. Whatever cannot stop the sun from shining cannot stop Covenant University from advancing,” he said.

He attributed the institution’s achievements and growing international recognition to God’s faithfulness and its commitment to its spiritual foundation.

Recalling the university’s beginnings, Oyedepo said he had an encounter with God on Feb. 12, 2002, at NICON Hotel, Abuja, while seeking divine confirmation concerning the institution’s ownership and future.

He said the response, “It is I,” marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey of faith, adding that God identified the university’s location as Hebron, where kings and queens would be raised.

He said the university subsequently experienced unusual favour in student enrolment and staff recruitment, even as several emerging private universities struggled to establish themselves.

Oyedepo described thanksgiving as more than an expression of gratitude, saying it strengthened believers, facilitated breakthroughs, provided divine protection and sustained progress.

Drawing lessons from Psalm 92:1–15, Proverbs 17:22, John 6:6–12 and Habakkuk 3:17–19, he said thanksgiving refreshed believers spiritually and empowered them to overcome adversity.

He urged students, popularly known as Covenant Eagles, to make spirituality the foundation of their personal development, academic pursuits and future accomplishments.

Recalling his encounter with Christ at 15 and the commencement of his Christian ministry at 16, Oyedepo said his lifelong commitment to God had remained a source of fulfilment.

He expressed confidence that Covenant University would become a globally sought-after institution comparable in influence and prestige to Harvard University.

“This is God’s own new-generation Harvard,” he declared.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor, Pastor Faith Oyedepo, described the anniversary as an opportunity to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and celebrate the university’s achievements.

She said thanksgiving followed a conscious recognition of God’s goodness, adding, “If you know how to think, you will know how to thank.”

She highlighted the introduction of new academic programmes, including Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Mechatronics, as evidence of the university’s growth and commitment to professional education.

Quoting Psalm 118:23, she said, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes,” while expressing confidence in the institution’s future.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Anake, expressed gratitude to God for the university’s progress and acknowledged the contributions of the chancellor and pro-chancellor to sustaining its founding vision.

He said the institution’s performance in national, regional and global rankings reflected its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research and the development of globally competitive graduates.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Amodu, presented a report highlighting institutional awards, research breakthroughs, innovation and improvements in international visibility.

Amodu also highlighted the university’s performance in Times Higher Education rankings and cited a pledge of N200 million by alumnus Dickson Nsofor, founder of KoraPay, to support indigent students.

In a goodwill message titled, “We Will Never Forget,” the President of the Covenant University Alumni Association, Mr Segun Aremu, praised Oyedepo’s enduring influence on graduates’ lives and careers.

Aremu said the chancellor had demonstrated a personal commitment to students’ spiritual, academic and character development.

He added that the alumni community remained committed to upholding the institution’s values and vision.

It was reported that the anniversary featured thanksgiving, reflections on the university’s journey and a renewed commitment to its founding vision.