In Nigeria, every polytechnic milestone comes with its own tradition.
At Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM), that tradition is the matriculation ceremony, where new students move from “admitted candidates” to official members of the college.
RECTEM recently held its 8th Matriculation Ceremony, welcoming students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Here’s a summary of the event, the Rector’s advice to new students, and answers to common matriculation questions.
Contents
About RECTEM
Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM) is a polytechnic in Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State, established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Founded in 2015, it aims to provide quality technical and vocational training, preparing skilled technicians and technologists to support Nigeria’s engineering sector and small businesses.
The college received its Federal Government licence on September 3, 2018, and has expanded from offering only National Diploma (ND) programmes to also running Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in its four academic schools.
What Happened at the 8th Matriculation Ceremony
At the 8th Matriculation Ceremony, the Rector of RECTEM, Dr Oladunni Izobo-Martins, formally admitted the newly enrolled students into the college’s four academic schools:
- School of Engineering Technology
- School of Environmental Design Technology
- School of Science and Technology
- School of Management Studies
The ceremony included students admitted for the 2025/2026 academic session.
As is standard at Nigerian polytechnics, it followed the regulations set by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which oversees polytechnic and technical education standards across the country.
What the Rector Told the New Students
Dr Izobo-Martins used the event to set clear expectations for the new students.
She focused her speech on three main themes: discipline, practical skills, and training that prepares students for the workplace.
She reminded the new students that polytechnic education is practical and focused on building real skills.
Unlike university degrees that are often more theoretical, polytechnics combine classroom learning with hands-on training.
The Rector was clear about student conduct: acts like exam cheating, cultism, drug abuse, and vandalism will lead to punishment.
This warning is common at matriculation ceremonies, as it marks the point when students agree to follow the college’s rules.
She further encouraged the new students to:
- Manage their time wisely and prioritise consistent lecture attendance.
- Participate actively in practical sessions, rather than treating them as secondary to classroom learning.
- Make full use of workshops, laboratories, and other available facilities.
- Take advantage of RECTEM’s partnership with New Horizons, a technology company, for ICT certification opportunities designed to strengthen their employability after graduation.
A Message to Parents and Guardians
Dr Izobo-Martins also spoke to the parents and guardians, thanking them for trusting RECTEM with their children’s education.
She promised that the college will keep providing a safe and supportive environment for all students.
She ended by restating the college’s commitment to strong academics, meeting NBTE standards, and working to make RECTEM a leader in technical education in Nigeria.
RECTEM’s Matriculation History: A Quick Look Back
The way RECTEM numbers its matriculation ceremonies shows how the college has grown over time. Here are some key moments from its history:
- RECTEM’s 6th Matriculation Ceremony, held in April a few sessions ago, was important because it was the first time the college admitted students into its Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. Before then, the college offered only ND-level courses. At the event, the Ogun State JAMB Coordinator praised RECTEM for following JAMB’s admission rules, noting that JAMB attends ceremonies only at institutions that meet its standards. This was a strong sign of approval for the young polytechnic.
- That same ceremony matriculated 303 students across ND and HND programmes, spread across the college’s four schools.
- Each subsequent ceremony has followed a consistent format: formal admission into the four schools, a charge from the Rector on discipline and practical competence, remarks from regulatory representatives, and appreciation extended to parents and guardians.
Why Matriculation Matters at a Polytechnic Like RECTEM
Matriculation is more than just a ceremony.
For NBTE-regulated schools, it is the official step that confirms a student’s admission and adds their name to the college’s records.
Signing the matriculation register lets students take exams and qualify for graduation.
Missing matriculation or not completing requirements, like paying fees, can delay a student’s official status, even if they have started classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does matriculation number (like “8th”) reset if RECTEM adds a new school or programme?
No, the matriculation number is a running count of every formal ceremony the institution has held since its very first intake, regardless of how many schools or programmes exist at any given time; it simply increments with each new ceremony.
2. Can a student who missed the 8th Matriculation Ceremony still be considered a RECTEM student?
Missing the ceremony itself doesn’t automatically forfeit admission.
Still, students are generally expected to complete the matriculation oath and register-signing process (sometimes arranged separately for those who couldn’t attend), since this formal step validates their status as matriculated students.
3. Is HND admission at RECTEM matriculated separately from ND admission?
Not necessarily by default; in past ceremonies, RECTEM has matriculated ND and HND students together in the same event, though the exact structure of any given ceremony depends on that session’s intake and scheduling.
4. Why did the Rector specifically mention New Horizons and ICT certification at the matriculation address?
Highlighting a specific employability-focused partnership at matriculation reflects a broader trend among Nigerian polytechnics to position technical certifications alongside the ND/HND credential itself, since employers increasingly value verifiable, practical tech skills on top of the diploma.
5. What’s the practical difference between the warnings against cultism, drug abuse, and examination malpractice given at matriculation versus later in the academic year?
Delivering these warnings at matriculation sets the behavioural expectation from day one, before a student has had any opportunity to be influenced by peer pressure on campus; it’s preventive framing rather than reactive.
6. Does RECTEM’s NBTE compliance mentioned at matriculation affect the value of a student’s eventual certificate?
Yes, in an important way, NBTE accreditation and regulatory compliance make an ND or HND certificate from RECTEM nationally recognised and valid for further education (like HND-to-degree conversion) or employment, so the Rector’s repeated emphasis on compliance is directly tied to graduates’ certificate credibility.
7. Are parents and guardians required to attend the matriculation ceremony?
Attendance isn’t typically compulsory for parents and guardians.
Still, RECTEM’s management has consistently used the occasion to address them directly, treating their presence as a valued part of the ceremony rather than a purely optional formality.
8. How can prospective students find out when RECTEM’s next matriculation ceremony will be held?
The most reliable source is RECTEM’s official website (rectem.edu.ng) and its verified social media channels, since matriculation dates for the following intake are typically announced there once the admission cycle for that session has closed and final registration numbers are confirmed.
Final Thoughts
RECTEM’s 8th Matriculation Ceremony continued the tradition the college has developed over its growing history: formally welcoming students into its four schools, the Rector’s focus on discipline and practical skills, and a strong commitment to NBTE standards and industry-relevant education.
For new students, this ceremony is the true beginning of their journey.
For those considering applying, it shows how much the college values both following regulations and providing practical training, which are key parts of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
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