Four pillars, one mission.
Several activities are organised in Irawo, with a lot of individual initiative entrusted to the students who are involved — they organise and are responsible for the bulk of the programmes. The four pillar programmes of Irawo are outlined below, with selected activities discussed afterwards.
Academic Excellence Programme
Irawo has as a pillar excellence in work, which for a student is his academics.
- Academic seminars — First-Class Seminar, project & literature review seminars, study technique sessions, etc.
- Study camps and marathons — focused, intensive, planned study periods without neglecting the demands of day-to-day living.
- Industrial visits — aligning and motivating students towards their chosen course of study, teaching the correlation between field experience and academics.
Leadership & Cultural Programmes
Leadership as service, a deeply held value at Irawo, is cultivated amongst students in the following ways.
- UNIV Nigeria
- Leadership camps & seminars — e.g. Inter-University Camp, leadership conversations for male excos of university student associations, always capped with a service project.
- Excursions
- Cultural clubs — book clubs, language clubs, etc.
Entrepreneurship & Employability Development
In commitment to our motto of investing in people, we seek to equip young men to be self-sustaining.
- Sunday conversations
- Skill acquisition sessions — soft-skill seminars, IT skills training, graphics and web design, etc. Industry practitioners partner with us to transfer specialised skills.
- Mentorship system
Spiritual & Character Development
For the integral formation of the human person, importance is accorded to character and spiritual formation, entrusted to the Prelature of Opus Dei.
- Retreats and monthly day of recollection
- Guided prayer & benediction
- Doctrine classes — theology for postgraduates, doctrine on contemporary issues for undergraduates.
- Spiritual direction (on request)
Beyond the four pillars
Professional Seminars
The professional development of those who pass through Irawo is of utmost importance — we invite senior professionals and captains of industry to speak to and enthuse students and younger professionals.
Residential Workshops
Intensive programme tools for in-depth development — religious, professional or cultural. Examples include study camps (study weekends, math camp), work camps, and cultural camps.
Leadership Camps
A form of residential workshop with pride of place in Irawo, directly furthering our mission of investing in persons. A leader is someone at the service of others, nudging them towards a certain goal.
UNIVNigeria Conference
The annual UnivNigeria conference grew out of the Univ Forum, an international event improving the intellectual and human tone of university students, drawing universities from across the country — in 2023, including the University of Ghana, Accra.
Visit to the Poor
Social welfare projects that bring an opportunity for leadership through service — including prison visits, juvenile correctional centres, motherless babies' homes, homes for disabled children and the elderly, and personal wellness visitation.
Excursions
Cultural formation is given utmost attention, widened via books and travel — sites include Erin Ijesha waterfalls, Olumo Rock, Iroto Conference Centre, Agodi Gardens, Cocoa House, PAU Yemisi Shyllon Museum, and Nike Art Gallery.
Doctrinal Forums / Personalised Circles
The Christian faith is examined in a scientific, thought-engaging way. Those desiring a deeper relationship with God join a circle where personalised formative instruction and support is received.
Retreats
A spiritual retreat is an important break — a few days in prayer alone with God. The spiritual equivalent of an annual check-up: time in God's presence, examining our Christian lives and how we can improve our relationships with God and others.
Legacy Projects
Irawo Annual Lectures, the Irawo Science Challenge, Sunday conversations for final-year students and young professionals, the Guided Study Programme, and the Irawo Football League.