The Matriculation of new students for 2024/25 session NBTS modular programmes, generally referred to as ‘Sandwich students,’ held on Monday July 15, 2024 in the NBTS Chapel at 10am. Matriculants were seated before time in their hoodless gowns and caps, as instructed. Sixteen Faculty members, representing the whole Faculty also marched in in pomp wearing their full academic regalia. Among these were the President, Rev. Prof S. Ola Ayankeye, the three Deputy Presidents, the Deans of Faculties of Theology and Education; the Chaplain and Director of Distance Learning Centre as well as other Heads of Department and Deans. Also present were the Dean of Church Music, other faculty members, staff of the Registry and other arms of NBTS, students, family and well-wishers of matriculating students. As expected, the media crew, musicians and instrumentalists were there to make the occasion complete and colourful. Dr Adenike Ojo was the music minister on duty for voice while Dr Fasipe ministered on the keyboard, supported by instrumentalists from various NBTS faculties.

Rev. Dr Solomon Adebayo Okediji, guest speaker for the occasion, titled his Matriculation Address ‘Fulfilling Your Divine Mandate is a Possibility.’ Taking his key text from 1 Corinthians 3:6; he identified three key personalities – entities involved in fulfilling this divine mandate. The first is the individual, the planter represented by ‘I’ in Paul’s writing to the Christians in Corinth. The second is ‘Apollos’, the one who waters and the third; greatest of all is God. Speaking on ‘I’, the planter, he emphasised the key foundational and undisputable role of the planter. The planter is key in their own success as they are the ‘architect of their own fortune’ in as much as they identify and achieve their divine mandate. Dr Okediji made use of five ‘Ds’ to explain the responsibility of the planter. The planter ‘I’ is responsible to discover their divine mandate, play their role with determination, live a life of diligence, discipline and depend solely on Divinity. If the planter fails to plant, only weeds will grow.

Dr Okediji referred to the Faculty of the Seminary as the ‘Apollos’ – the ones to water that which is planted. He eulogized the virtues of Faculty of NBTS as those God has equipped and planted in the institution to water the planting of the planters, the new students. He commended the work of the Seminary management and staff as well. God is the divine who makes all efforts work and who gave the mandate in the first place. Without Him, no one is and no one can achieve purpose without Him. The students were challenged to keep faithful to Christ so as to fulfill their divine mandate.

The President of NBTS, Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye charged matriculating students to obey God, to live up to promises in their matriculation oath and to take the training seriously. He specifically charged online students not to handle their training with kid gloves and to note that their ministry is not limited online, as they will also deal with people ‘onsite’.  Students from Post graduate Diploma, Masters of various specialisations, and doctoral students being matriculated signed the matriculation oath and submitted same immediately. The online masters and doctoral programme students joined in the whole event and were carried along accordingly. The singing of the students’ hymn and prayer for the new students by Rev. Dr Oyeniyi rounded off the programme which had also begun with call to worship, prayer and songs led by the Chaplain, Rev. Dr Olaide Ajeigbe, The Deputy President Academics, Prof. Olusayo Oladejo and  the music leader for the day, Dr Adenike Ojo, respectively

The already-begun 2024/25 academic session promises to be engaging, busy and challenging; but it is those who know their divine mandate and seek to carry it out under God who will achieve God’s purpose, be happy within themselves and be a great blessing to others.

By Olusola Ayo-Obiremi,

DP Advancement

for NBTS Advancement Centre