The Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents, Covenant University, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, has issued a passionate call for renewed commitment among faculty members of the institution to prioritize excellence and increase the chances of producing Nobel laureates from within the University.
He made this call while delivering his address at the 200th Senate Sitting of the University which was marked with celebration and thanksgiving, as the institution acknowledged God’s faithfulness in its journey. Dr. Oyedepo, highlighted the divine preservation experienced by the University, no building collapses, no cultism, and declared that the best is yet to come for Covenant University.
“We’ve seen the hand of God in our journey so far. This is only the beginning. Very soon, the world will come seeking solutions from here. It won’t just be about receiving awards; it will be about global relevance. Nations will say, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us,’” he declared.
Dr. Oyedepo, stressed the importance of diligence and sacrifice in the pursuit of excellence. Using himself as an example, he spoke of sleepless nights spent working and studying to grow the vision God gave him. He recalled how he studied the biographies of ministry leaders and researched world-class universities to shape Covenant University into a globally respected institution.
“Nobel laureates don’t emerge overnight. They are men and women sold out to their callings, committed to advancing knowledge in their fields,” he said. “Anyone who wishes to become a star must learn from those who have gone ahead. You cannot rise without diligence, discipline, and vision.”
He challenged the faculty to move beyond the confines of conventional classroom lecturing, urging them to embrace a higher calling of research, innovation, and global impact. “If all you aspire to be is a classroom lecturer, it is not enough,” he warned. “See the future, commit to it, and work tirelessly until you get there.”
Dr. Oyedepo recounted a personal story, illustrating his dedication to study. “When my wife was in the hospital delivering our first child, I was completely engrossed in Charles Spurgeon’s Revival. I was so deep in study, I forgot about everything else,” he shared, using it to highlight the level of commitment required to make a lasting impact.
He concluded his address with fervent prayers for the University community, declaring that every faculty member is ordained to be an international expert with global influence.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, expressed profound gratitude to God for the privilege of witnessing the 200th Senate sitting. He praised the dedication of the faculty and thanked the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo, for his continued leadership and prayers. He also requested special prayers for those who were part of the 100th and 200th Senate sittings.
Highlights of the event included testimonies from Professor Shalom Chinedu, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who shared his gratitude for divine healing from a serious illness, and Professor Abiodun Adebayo, immediate past Vice-Chancellor, who testified about his induction as a Fellow of both the Nigerian Academy of Science and the African Academy of Science.
Also in attendance were the Secretary of the Board of Regents, Pastor Abegunde Adebisi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lanre Amodu; and the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Igban.