Adedeji Olowe, the Chief Executive Officer of Lendsqr, has publicly highlighted specific traits he noticed in graduates of Covenant University who applied for jobs at his company over the past four years. According to Olowe, these observations prompted him to conduct further research on the quality of graduates produced by the institution, and he discovered consistent patterns across various sectors.
CEO's Observations on Covenant University Graduates
In a LinkedIn post published in January, Olowe noted that Covenant University graduates appear to be taking over in many professional environments. He humorously remarked that the private university produces first-class graduates at a rate faster than Dangote produces petrol. Olowe stated that most applicants who successfully pass Lendsqr's assessments and interviews tend to be graduates of Covenant University. Although they do not constitute the majority of applicants, those who apply consistently outperform others and demonstrate rapid learning capabilities on the job. However, he also noted that some of these graduates struggle under pressure.
Olowe elaborated: "Covenant University graduates seem to be taking over everywhere. I don't know if it's me or Lendsqr just attracts a certain type. Or could it be that because of our minimum grade benchmark, we automatically filter a lot away, and Covenant seems to churn out first-class candidates faster than Dangote can produce petrol. But here's what I have noticed over the last 4 years I have been working at Lendsqr: increasingly, most applicants that make it past assessments and interviews tend to be Covenant graduates. They are not the majority of applicants. They just outperform everyone else. On the job, they tend to be fast learners, but some do flame out under pressure."
Research Across Economic Ecosystems
Olowe further stated that he conducted additional research by consulting senior colleagues across various industries and found similar feedback regarding Covenant University graduates. He praised Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the university, for building future Nigerian leaders. Olowe admitted he has never been a fan of pastors but expressed respect for Oyedepo's contribution. He noted that beyond academics, Covenant University emphasizes entrepreneurship and corporate behavior, which gives its graduates an edge. While acknowledging the school's strict rules, Olowe said the results justify the approach.
He added: "I started digging around and asking senior friends, and it's the same. Across important economic ecosystems, Covenant University students are consistently outperforming applicants at interviews and also at work. I've never been a fan of pastors, including Papa. But I respect this man and the quality of future Nigerian leaders he's building. I got to know that beyond just classes, they are also taught entrepreneurship and how to behave in a corporate environment."
Public Reactions to the Observations
Legit.ng compiled several reactions to Olowe's post. User Iyanuoluwa Aliu commented: "Sadly (as a non-Covenant University graduate), I think it's true. One might argue that they attract really strong students academically, but I think the bigger difference is beyond grades. Covenant seems to put a lot of emphasis on things like leadership, structure, and how to show up in professional environments." Ayodele Olajiga said: "I have a similar experience with covenant grads so the school must be doing stuff right in getting the right candidates in and training them." Bukola A. stated: "As a proud Eagle, the biggest thing that I learnt was being able to solve my problems without dwelling too much on the issues and rules."
Related Stories
In a related report, Legit.ng highlighted a Covenant University first-class graduate who now sells phone accessories at Alaba Market in Lagos. This story sparked discussions about the career paths of graduates from Nigeria's top-ranked university.
