The Vice Chancellor of African School of Economics, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has advised newly admitted students to make effective use of their time, describing the present moment as a critical gift that determines the future.
Adedimeji gave the charge during his address titled “Your Present Is Your Present” at the institution’s second matriculation ceremony held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the university auditorium in Abuja.
Congratulating the students and their parents, the Vice Chancellor said the journey toward their aspirations had just begun, urging them to seize the numerous opportunities ahead. “You are just starting and before you are terrains to be explored, depths to be reached and treasures to be discovered. The opportunities are vast and your responsibility is to utilise them by maximising the use of your time. All you have is the present of the present to guarantee your future,” he said.
He explained that his emphasis on “present” was not repetitive but a deliberate use of homography to convey dual meanings—time and gift. According to him, the opportunity students currently have is a privilege many others lack and must be used wisely.
“Your present or presence here is a gift that has been denied other people like you. Use it well on your studies and preparation before your present becomes past. Commit yourselves fully to your primary assignment in the university as that is the key to your success and avoid distractions,” he added.
Adedimeji further encouraged students to pursue both academic and personal development, advising them to learn from the experiences of others, set clear goals, and acquire relevant skills. He urged them not to remain in their comfort zones but to align their passions with societal needs.
Delivering a lecture titled “University Education as a Catalyst for Poverty Eradication,” the Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, commended the university’s innovative approach to education.
Olohungbebe urged students to develop research and vocational skills to address societal challenges and improve their economic prospects. He also emphasised financial discipline, advising them to cultivate financial literacy, avoid unnecessary debts, and build strong professional networks.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University; Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, a former editor of The Punch newspaper, who represented the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede; the founder of the institution, Leonard Wantchekon of Princeton University; and Foluke Aliyu-Ibrahim of University of Ilorin. They commended the institution’s management and encouraged students to remain diligent.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of an award to Olohungbebe by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Obinna Obiwulu, and the administration of the matriculation oath to the new students by the Vice Chancellor.
