By: Omotosho Veronica, Bello Testimony
Fresh students of the Faculty of The Social Sciences were formally welcomed into the academic community on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during the Freshers’ Orientation and Dean’s Roll of Honour ceremony held at the Faculty Lecture Theatre (LLT).
The event was attended by key faculty officials including the Faculty Dean,Prof Osayawe Benjamin Ehigie, the Sub-Dean, Prof Olufunke, Heads of Departments, and Dr. Okafor of the Human Resource unit, alongside invited speakers who addressed students on academic expectations, personal development, and institutional policies.
The Faculty President, in his opening welcome address, reiterated his commitment to the betterment of the faculty, stating that students’ welfare remains a top priority of his administration.
The Dean of the faculty, Prof Osayawe Benjamin Ehigie in his address, described the faculty as distinct, noting that it is “the only faculty with the article ‘The’ in its title, ‘The Faculty of The Social Sciences.’” He emphasized the faculty’s commitment to character building, stressing that students are trained not only academically but also in attitude and conduct. He warned against examination malpractice, urged consistent class attendance, and advised students to be mindful of their associations and remain respectful.
The Sub-Dean, Prof. Olufunke, provided guidance on course registration, stating that the registration window spans eight weeks and will close on May 1. She explained that new students are expected to register between a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 48 units. She also highlighted academic requirements, noting that students must maintain a minimum grade point of 1.0 and meet stipulated unit thresholds at different levels to avoid withdrawal. She further encouraged students to exhibit good behaviour and develop effective time management skills.
Speaking on behalf of the university’s Gender and Sexual Harassment Policy unit, Prof. Funmilola Ajani reiterated the institution’s commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment. She stated that the policy upholds the dignity of all genders and applies to both staff and students. She emphasized that the university maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment. She further outlined various forms of sexual harassment, including verbal, visual, and physical conduct. She defined these to include unwanted sexual comments, gestures, indecent touching, and cyber harassment. She also informed students that cases can be reported at the office located within the Students’ Affairs building.
Also addressing the students, the faculty Student Adviser, Dr. Lafenwa, spoke on the importance of balancing academics, wellness, and extracurricular activities. He cautioned against overcommitment and advised students to learn to say no when necessary. He outlined five key habits for success: reading well, dressing well, eating well, sleeping well, and maintaining healthy relationships.
The Faculty Librarian, Mrs. Tomomowo Susan Ayodele, enlightened students on the effective use of library resources, while the Director of the Career and Counselling Centre, Prof. D.A. Oluwole, introduced support services available to students, including a helpline (08147271324) for counselling and guidance.
The event also featured the Dean’s Roll of Honour segment, where first class students were recognised for academic excellence. Awards were additionally presented to past faculty executives in acknowledgment of their service.
However, the ceremony was followed by discontent among some students, particularly from the Department of Political Science, who alleged that several individuals believed to have attained first-class standing were omitted from the Roll of Honour list.
In a series of WhatsApp messages, the President of the Nigerian Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), Inioluwa Oladigbo, appealed for calm, assuring affected students that the issue would be addressed and would not become a recurring occurrence. He attributed the situation to discrepancies in result records, although no detailed explanation was provided.
Efforts to get an official response from the Faculty President were ongoing at the time of filing this report. When contacted, he stated that he would provide a detailed response after his class.
The Dean’s Roll of Honour is designed to celebrate and encourage academic excellence within the faculty.
