Transformation College of Business & Technology (TCBT) has held its TCBT graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, with a senior Nigerian Army officer and a Standard Chartered Bank human resources executive delivering keynote addresses.
The virtual ceremony, held on Saturday, September 19, brought together graduates from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and other locations.
Held under the theme “The Future Is Already Here,” the ceremony celebrated graduates from four one-year diploma programmes: Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Information Systems, AI Business Analyst, and AI Automation Specialist.
The two AI programmes, introduced last year, produced their first graduating cohorts this year.
TCBT graduation celebrates new professionals
TCBT Founder and Proprietor, Dr Orlando Olumide Odejide, said more than 500 people registered for the four programmes a year ago.
He said more than 300 of the students enrolled in the AI programmes.
However, only about 10 per cent completed all the requirements for graduation.
Odejide explained that the college’s ISO certification requires students to complete their courses, assessments and examinations before receiving certificates.
“If you’ve stayed and seen it through, you definitely deserve a round of applause,” he told the graduates.
Programmes Director, Edith Ugochukwu, urged the graduates to see their certificates as the beginning of a new phase rather than the end of their education.
She encouraged them to focus on solving problems instead of simply searching for jobs.
For the AI graduates, Ugochukwu offered a simple message: “AI is a tool. Value is the goal.”
Army Colonel speaks on leadership
The first keynote speaker was Colonel Omokafe Femi Otagbo of the Nigerian Army.
Otagbo, a signals officer with academic qualifications in computer science, telecommunications engineering and network and information security, spoke on “Leadership Is Decided in the Room, Not Conferred by Rank.”
Drawing from his military experience, he said effective leadership does not always depend on rank.
He urged the graduates to develop five important qualities: competence, reliability, integrity, selflessness and respect.
Otagbo also discussed the changing workplace and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
He said the traditional idea that a boss must know everything no longer applies in today’s work environment.
“Your certificate might qualify you for entry,” he said, “but only your character will qualify you for trust.”
Standard Chartered HR chief urges graduates to keep learning
The second keynote speaker was Mrs Madinatu Duncan, a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Senior Manager, HR Specialist Delivery, West Africa, at Standard Chartered Bank.
Duncan spoke on “Skills Without Borders: Turning African Talent into African Transformation.”
She encouraged the graduates to build careers around continuous learning and the ability to adapt.
According to her, professionals must be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn as the workplace changes.
She also urged graduates embracing artificial intelligence not to lose sight of the human side of work.
Duncan said Africa has considerable talent but needs stronger systems to connect, develop, retain and deploy that talent for transformation.
She challenged the graduates to build reputations based on integrity and excellence while making a positive impact across the continent.
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TCBT plans new academic session
During the TCBT graduation, certificates were presented by Ugochukwu and Academic Coordinator, Adedamola Gboshe.
The college also recognised more than 30 volunteer trainers and coaches from its Nigeria and Ghana offices.
Class valedictorian Vinnie Omoh thanked the faculty on behalf of the graduating class, while graduates shared testimonials about the impact of their programmes.
The ceremony was moderated by Merci Kingsley, with closing remarks delivered by Abe Sinuola Emmanuel.
TCBT also appealed for support for its Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Schools (AIIS) programme.
The initiative, operated through the Transformation Foundation of Business and Technology, plans to train 250 SS2 and SS3 students from five public schools in Lagos.
The six-week programme will cover Python, machine learning basics and AI agent development. Five ICT teachers from each participating school will also take part.
The programme has an estimated budget of ₦20 million.
The college’s next academic session begins on October 1, 2026, which will also mark its next Mentors’ Day.