The Proprietress of Higher Ground Mega Schools, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs W.A. Owolabi, has urged graduating pupils and students of the school to uphold integrity, discipline and good character as they advance to the next stage of their academic journey, stressing that true success extends beyond academic excellence.
Mrs Owolabi gave the charge on Thursday during the school’s 2025/2026 End-of-Session Graduation Ceremony, Valedictory Service and Award/Prize-Giving Day, where outstanding pupils and students were honoured for their academic performance, exemplary conduct and outstanding achievements.
A total of 50 learners graduated during the ceremony, comprising 30 primary school pupils and 20 secondary school students.
Addressing the graduands, the proprietress described the ceremony as the end of one phase and the beginning of another, encouraging them to remain focused on their goals and contribute positively to society.
‘To our graduating pupils and students, congratulations. This graduation marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another. As you move forward, remember that success is measured not only by academic achievement but also by good character, discipline, respect, integrity and a desire to make positive contributions to society. Continue to dream big, work hard and believe in yourselves. It is not yet over-you have simply completed one step in the journey of making your parents, the nation and yourselves proud. Do not rest on your oars; the best is yet to come.’
Mrs Owolabi also commended parents and guardians for their trust and partnership with the school, saying their commitment had contributed significantly to the successes recorded during the academic session. She equally praised the teaching and non-teaching staff for their dedication, patience and professionalism in nurturing the learners.
The proprietress reaffirmed the school’s commitment to providing quality education in a safe learning environment, adding that management would continue to invest in academic excellence, moral values, creativity and innovation.
Mrs Owolabi also appealed to parents who are professionals in various fields to sponsor scholarships for deserving pupils, saying the initiative would encourage excellence and inspire more learners to strive for greater achievements.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the proprietress said the school recorded remarkable achievements during the 2025/2026 academic session, including outstanding performances by its candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Mrs Owolabi said another major milestone recorded during the session was the conduct of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Higher Ground Mega Schools.
She explained that while the school’s students were already familiar with computer-based testing through internal examinations, this was the first time they sat the external WASSCE within the school using the CBT format.
Founded on August 1, 2009, the school is optimistic about achieving greater milestones in the coming years.
‘In the next five years, we will not be at this level. We will be at the higher ground that God has prepared for us, ‘ Mrs Owolabi said.
Delivering the keynote address, the guest speaker, Rev. Dr Sulola Wale, described the graduation ceremony as a proud milestone and reminded the graduands that they were beginning another phase of life rather than reaching the end of their educational journey.
He urged them to remain resilient in pursuing higher education and future aspirations.
‘You need to be strong and courageous. To get to university, to earn a master’s degree or a PhD is not a joke. It takes a strong and courageous heart to attain such heights,’ he said.
The cleric also charged the graduands to keep God at the centre of their lives.
‘Without God, you can’t make it. It takes God to take a man higher.’
He prayed that the graduands would excel above their peers and encouraged them to see the occasion as a stepping stone to greater accomplishments.
Among the academic award recipients were Salami Moyosola, who emerged as the overall best student in the Junior Secondary School, and Ojehonmon Ramsey, who was named the overall best Senior Secondary School student for the 2025/2026 academic session. Salami also finished first in JSS1, while Ramsey emerged first in SS1.
Other award recipients included Onunkwo Gabriel, who came first in JSS2, and Oke Joy Ezekiel, who finished first in SS2.
In the behavioural awards category, Adeleke Fathia was recognised as the most well-behaved nursery pupil, while Oyesunle Lanre received the award for the most well-behaved primary pupil. Olagunju Timothy was named the neatest nursery pupil, while Popoola Aaro emerged as the neatest primary pupil.
While presenting the awards, Mrs Owolabi announced full tuition scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic session for the two overall best students-Salami Moyosola and Ojehonmon Ramsey. She said their tuition fees for all three terms of the next academic session had been fully waived in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Ramsey described emerging as the overall best senior student as a dream come true.
‘It feels really good. I’m very happy. It feels like a dream come true. It makes me very happy to make my parents proud.’
He attributed his success to reading every day, saying consistent study habits played a major role in his academic achievement. He advised students to cultivate the habit of revising regularly rather than waiting until examinations were around the corner.
Ramsey also urged students to minimise their use of social media and pay close attention during classroom lessons.
According to him, many examination questions are drawn from what teachers teach in class rather than solely from textbooks.
Also speaking, Salami attributed her emergence as the overall best junior student to consistent reading and the quality of teaching she received from members of staff.
She said she hopes to become a medical doctor in the future and make her parents proud.
The event featured choir ministration, ballet performances, band displays, poetry recitation, drama and cultural performances by pupils from the nursery, primary and college sections. Graduating pupils were also presented with gifts amid applause from parents and guests.
Among dignitaries at the ceremony were the Chairman of the event, Mr David Olagunju, represented by his wife, Mrs Wuraola Olagunju; the Chairperson, Mrs Omoyeme Segun; the guest speaker, Rev. Dr Sulola Wale; executives of the Parents-Teachers Forum (PTF); parents; guardians; and other guests.