By Precious Achi, JKNewsMedia Intern, UI, Oyo State
THE UNIVERSITY of Ibadan (UI) has said it is celebrating academic excellence as 448 students emerged with First Class degrees out of 5,900 graduating students in the 2024/2025 academic session.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, declared the figures on Tuesday during the first day of the convocation ceremony held at the university’s main campus in Ibadan.
The ceremony covered graduands from the Faculties of Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Professor Adebowale congratulated the graduating students, describing their achievements as a reflection of discipline, hard work, and perseverance.
He said the university had equipped them to meet global challenges with competence, character, and creativity, adding that the institution continued to uphold its reputation as Nigeria’s premier university and one of Africa’s most prestigious centres of learning.
According to the Vice Chancellor, “The University of Ibadan has trained you to seize future opportunities with confidence and integrity. You have been equipped not only with knowledge but also with the values that will sustain you in a complex and dynamic world.”
He highlighted the role of the university’s Postgraduate College, which he described as the largest in Africa, in producing high-level manpower for both national and global development.
Adebowale also noted that the establishment of the Faculty of Computing had positioned the university at the forefront of digital innovation and research.
Addressing the economic and infrastructural challenges facing Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor commended the resilience and commitment of the country’s scholars and students.
“Despite national constraints, the spirit of innovation continues to drive the University of Ibadan’s progress and sustain its leadership role in higher education,” he stated.
Adebowale further highlighted notable achievements by members of the university community in international research, fellowships, and academic competitions.
He said these accomplishments demonstrated UI’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and relevance in the modern knowledge economy.
In his keynote address, United Kingdom-based medical practitioner and a UI alumnus, Dr Abel Adegoke, encouraged the graduates to uphold resilience, service, and integrity as guiding principles in their careers and personal lives.
“True growth does not come from comfort. Challenges should be seen as stepping-stones to greater achievements,” he said. “Go into the world not as job seekers but as solution creators. The world awaits the light of your brilliance.”
Dr Adegoke’s address urged the graduating students to apply the knowledge gained from the university to create positive impact across their communities and beyond.
He noted that the University of Ibadan had consistently produced graduates who distinguished themselves in various sectors around the world.
Reflecting on the institution’s enduring legacy, Adebowale emphasised that UI’s success was built on its founding philosophy of excellence in teaching, research, and community service.
He reaffirmed the university’s determination to sustain its global relevance through continuous academic reform, infrastructural renewal, and partnerships that foster innovation and technological advancement.
The VC acknowledged the efforts of academic and non-academic staff whose dedication, he said, had maintained the university’s reputation for academic rigour and ethical leadership.
He also commended parents and guardians for their sacrifices in supporting the students through their academic journey.
One of the graduating students, Ayodeji Adeyemi from the Department of European Studies (French Unit), expressed gratitude for the institution’s impact on his personal and professional development.
Adeyemi, currently serving at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Abuja, said the reputation of the University of Ibadan had opened doors of opportunity.
“I thank God for where the weight of that name – UI – has carried me. It has carried me to where I am currently serving as a corps member at the ECOWAS Commission office of CIS precisely. The name has made room for me,” he said.
The convocation ceremony marked the beginning of a week-long series of events honouring graduates from different faculties and levels of study, including the university’s postgraduate programmes.
The event was attended by senior academics, members of the university’s governing council, parents, and guests from within and outside Nigeria.
Meanwhile, as the university continues its convocation ceremonies, the VC’s emphasis remains on producing graduates who are intellectually sound, morally upright, and globally competitive.
He said the institution, established in 1948, reaffirmed its vision to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge and the nation’s development goals as it remains a leading centre for academic research and innovation in Africa, with a long tradition of excellence that has produced distinguished alumni in academia, governance, medicine, science, and the arts.
