Shanahan University, Onitsha, commenced its 2026/2027 academic session on 16 December 2026 with a ceremony featuring a Holy Mass, a keynote lecture, student performances, the presentation of the university’s official student portal, and the conferment of Academic Excellence Awards. The event brought together university management, staff, students, priests, and invited guests in a programme that set a clear call for excellence across the Shanahan community.

Opening Mass at the University Chapel

The ceremony commenced with a Holy Mass at about 10:05 a.m., with eight priests in attendance. The Vice Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dominic Obielosi, served as the Chief Celebrant. The homily was delivered by the Registrar, Fr. Emmanuel Emenu, who reflected on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles, connecting the liturgical celebration to the values expected of students and members of the university community.

Fr. Emenu emphasised the importance of prayer, hard work, morals, intelligence, and all-round formation in the life of a student. He stressed that academic excellence requires hard work and cautioned students against failing to maximise the privilege of being members of the Shanahan University community. He encouraged them to pray not only during difficult times but also in moments of joy, drawing from Jesus’ example of praying before choosing the twelve apostles, and reminded them that they had been chosen to be part of the Shanahan community and urged them to conduct themselves responsibly while developing themselves academically, morally, and otherwise.

At the conclusion of the Mass, a vote of thanks was given in appreciation of the dignitaries and guests in attendance, including Dr. Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu. Participants then took group photographs before proceeding to the hall for the inauguration programme.

The Inaugural Ceremony

At the hall, the Master of Ceremonies, Fr. Kenechukwu Evarist Okpala, the Dean of Student Affairs, welcomed everyone to the gathering. He noted that excellence is a watchword of the diocese and the university, setting the tone for the day’s celebration.

The Vice Chancellor and the guest lecturer, Dr. Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu, were welcomed with a standing ovation. The programme continued with an opening prayer led by Fr. Emmanuel Emenu, followed by the rendition of the national and school anthems. The traditional presentation of the kola nut also took place, with the kola nut blessed and broken as part of the ceremony.

The Vice Chancellor subsequently delivered his welcome address, receiving members of the university community and guests to the formal opening of the new academic session. His address highlighted the institution’s growth and its commitment to developing students and strengthening the university.

The citation of the guest lecturer was presented by Dr. Mrs. Vivian Onwuasoeze, who described Dr. Odumodu as a philanthropist, industrialist, pharmacist, and university lecturer. His academic background was highlighted, including first-class degrees in both Pharmacy and Business Administration.

Keynote Address: From Certificate to Competence

In his keynote lecture titled “From Certificate to Competence,” Dr. Odumodu commended Shanahan University for the growth it has recorded despite being less than three years old. He noted the breadth of programmes already available at the institution, including Law, Medicine, Social and Management Sciences, Basic Medical and Allied Sciences, Nursing, and Computing.

Under the theme “Competence over Certificate,” he identified four areas students should develop: digital, vocational, entrepreneurial, and character competence. For digital competence, he encouraged students to spend at least one hour each day learning a skill. Vocational competence involves developing a particular skill through hard work. Entrepreneurial competence is built through trading and investment, while character competence involves building trust with people, maintaining punctuality, and developing qualities that make a person dependable.

He introduced a pattern for growth: Learn, Practice, Produce and Improve. Students were encouraged to absorb concepts, practise what they learn, produce by putting knowledge into action, and continuously improve. Emphasising the need for immediate action, he urged students not to wait for perfect conditions, stressing: “Do not wait, start now.”

Dr. Odumodu described a student’s professional development as a two-page story: “Page 1: certificate” and “Page 2: portfolio,” and challenged each student to identify one skill, one mentor, and one problem they can begin working to solve. He also spoke about the importance of Catholic faith and prayer, describing Holy Mass as his talisman and encouraging students to understand that spiritual development has a place alongside personal and professional growth. He summarised his message by noting that a certificate can open the door, while competence keeps a person inside.

Cultural Celebration

Following the Vice Chancellor’s formal declaration of the 2026/2027 academic session open, the ceremony was enlivened by a cultural dance performance and a hip-hop presentation by the students, adding a lively and celebratory dimension to the occasion.

Student Portal Presentation

Fr. Emmanuel Nwabufo subsequently made a presentation on the university’s official student portal, introducing the platform and explaining its relevance to students and the academic community.

Academic Excellence Awards

The ceremony then proceeded to the Academic Excellence Awards, where 20 Shanahan University Academic Excellence Awards were presented in recognition of outstanding academic performance. The awards honoured students from different departments who recorded first-class results in the preceding academic year. The Law faculty additionally conferred its own awards for Best Improved and Overall Best in the Law department.

Before the closing prayer, two votes of thanks were given. The first was delivered on behalf of the students by Mgbekwute Prisca, the Student Union Government’s Vice President. The second was delivered by Professor Evaristus Afiadiegwu. The ceremony concluded with a closing prayer, bringing the inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic session and the Academic Excellence Awards to a close.