By Bolanle Sobosola
Thirty years after his first admission into a higher institution, Otunba Dare Odufowokan, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has earned a First Class degree in Mass Communication from Chrisland Universi
For many, a University Degree marks the culmination of academic effort and the beginning of a career. For Odufowokan, it is a reaffirmation of his enduring commitment to learning, personal development and professional excellence.
At a time when many accomplished professionals consider returning to the classroom an unnecessary interruption, Odufowokan has demonstrated that experience and education are not mutually exclusive. They can complement one another to produce a more knowledgeable, versatile and effective professional.
The seasoned Journalist and Public Communication expert distinguished himself among the graduating students of the Department of Mass Communication at the institution’s 2026 convocation.
His achievement is particularly remarkable because it came three decades after his first admission into a higher institution and more than 20 years after completing his postgraduate studies at Bayero University, Kano.
Three Decades After His First Admission
Odufowokan’s decision was driven by a personal philosophy that has shaped his career: that learning must remain a lifelong undertaking.
Speaking on the sidelines of the convocation alongside other First Class graduates, he attributed his success to determination, hard work and an enduring appetite for knowledge.
“I love learning new things; new ways of doing things and new worldviews, especially in my chosen fields. This is why I returned to the classroom exactly 30 years after my first admission and over 20 years after I graduated from the Bayero University Postgraduate School,” he said.
His return reflects an understanding that journalism, public relations, political communication and strategic media engagement have undergone significant changes with the emergence of digital platforms, social media, data-driven communication and new approaches to reputation management.
For professionals in these fields, remaining relevant requires more than experience. It demands the willingness to question established practices, acquire new competencies and adapt to changing circumstances.
His First Class is therefore a testament to the fact that professional experience does not diminish the appetite for academic excellence. When combined with discipline, it becomes a strong foundation for outstanding performance.
When Father and Children Share the University Experience
Beyond the result, Odufowokan’s journey carries a unique family dimension. While pursuing his degree, he shared the university environment with two of his children, both currently undergraduates at Chrisland.
The arrangement offered a rare opportunity for a parent and his children to experience university life simultaneously, albeit at different stages.
For the children, having a father who was also a student provided a practical demonstration that education is not restricted to age or stage of life. For the father, it was an opportunity to appreciate university education from a fresh perspective while sharing the learning environment with the younger generation.
In a society where education is often considered primarily the responsibility of young people, his experience reinforces the message that the desire for knowledge should not diminish with age, professional advancement or family responsibilities.
It also sends a message to young people who may regard qualifications as sufficient for lifelong success. Education, in this context, is not merely a means of securing employment, but an ongoing process of intellectual renewal and personal improvement.
A Rewarding Experience at Chrisland University
Reflecting on his time at the institution, Odufowokan described his experience as exceptionally rewarding.
“All in all, my experience at Chrisland was incredibly great. Fantastic academic staff, nice studying environment and studious work schedules. I learnt a lot of new things and I will love to continue learning,” he said.
His remarks underscore the importance of a supportive academic environment. For an experienced professional returning after several years, interaction with lecturers, engagement with contemporary literature and exchange of ideas with younger students can be particularly enriching — creating a productive meeting point between professional experience and academic theory.
This relationship between theory and practice is especially important in Mass Communication, a discipline that continues to respond to changes in technology, audience behaviour and information flow.
Academic Excellence in a Competitive Environment
Odufowokan’s feat came during Chrisland University’s eighth convocation ceremony. Delivering the lecture titled “Beyond the Degree: Next Generation Leadership, Innovation and Impact in a Changing World,” Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, challenged graduates to look beyond certificates.
Salako maintained that qualifications alone would not determine career progress. He urged them to develop relevant skills, cultivate integrity, build global networks and focus on solving problems rather than concentrating exclusively on securing employment.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, disclosed that 53 students graduated with First Class among 281 from regular undergraduate programmes. Another 43 graduated through the Centre for Distance Learning and Executive Programmes, bringing total first-degree graduates to 324.
She added that all 23 academic programmes presented for accreditation in the 2025/2026 session were successful, and highlighted the university’s performance in professional examinations and the graduation of its first set of Postgraduate Diploma students.
Chancellor, Dr. Winifred Awosika, charged the graduates to uphold the institution’s motto — “Intellectual Radiance, Moral Integrity, and Academic Excellence” — and remain worthy ambassadors.
Against this backdrop, Odufowokan’s result places him among a select group whose accomplishments stood out at the 2026 convocation.
From Journalism to Public Communication
Odufowokan’s latest accomplishment adds another chapter to a career traversing journalism, media relations, image management and public communication.
An alumnus of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, and Bayero University, Kano, his current role as SSA on Public Communication places him within the administration’s public-facing structure, where presentation of information, engagement with the media and effective communication of government activities are critical.
In contemporary governance, public communication extends beyond routine dissemination. It involves explaining policies, providing context for decisions, communicating development initiatives and facilitating engagement between public institutions and the people they serve. It also requires understanding how information travels across traditional media, digital platforms and social networks.
His academic achievement comes at a time when the profession increasingly demands a combination of practical experience, analytical ability, technological awareness and sound understanding of audience behaviour.
Beyond his government appointment, Odufowokan also serves as Chairman of the Public Communications Committee of the Ogun State APC Campaign Council.
A New Academic Laurel Amid Traditional Recognition
Interestingly, his First Class comes amid significant personal recognition. On his 50th birthday, he received two traditional chieftaincy titles: Mayegun of Iraye Remo Kingdom and Otunba Onigegewura of Eposo Remo town.
The titles represent distinct forms of recognition within the traditional institutions that conferred them, adding to a profile that brings together professional communication, public service, political participation and community engagement.
The Lessons in Odufowokan’s Journey
Several lessons emerge from his decision.
First is determination. Returning to formal education after decades requires readjusting routines, meeting academic expectations and balancing competing responsibilities.
Second is humility. Irrespective of status, the willingness to sit in a classroom and learn reflects an understanding that knowledge is never exhausted.
Third is leading by example. By sharing the university with his children, he demonstrated that learning can be a family value rather than an obligation for only the younger generation.
Fourth is continuous professional development. In a rapidly changing communication environment, the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn is indispensable.
Finally, his experience challenges the notion that age or seniority should be a barrier to academic ambition. It is a reminder that people can return to unfinished goals and achieve fresh milestones.
A Journey Still in Progress
For Odufowokan, the degree may be a major milestone, but his own words suggest he does not regard it as the end.
From his early education at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to Bayero University and now Chrisland University, his academic journey has unfolded across different stages of personal and professional development.
That he achieved it while serving in public office, handling political communication and raising a family makes the story even more compelling.
Ultimately, his story transcends the award of a First Class degree. It is about the courage to begin again, the discipline to pursue excellence and the understanding that education is a lifelong investment — a practical demonstration that the pursuit of knowledge has no expiry date.
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