UNILORIN Celebrates 39th Convocation with 256 First-Class Graduates

University of Ilorin Celebrates Milestone 39th Convocation Ceremony with Over 12,000 Graduates

The University of Ilorin is preparing to celebrate its 39th convocation ceremony, during which it will honor a total of 12,042 graduates, including 256 students who have achieved First Class honors. This announcement was made by Vice-Chancellor Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, during a press briefing at the university auditorium on Thursday.

Professor Egbewole highlighted the significance of the convocation, which will feature graduates from a broad range of faculties, including Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. He stated, “For the 39th Convocation Ceremonies, the University shall be graduating a total of 12,042 students. In the First Degree/Diploma category, we have 256 First Class graduates, 3,842 in Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 in Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 in Third Class, and 62 receiving Pass degrees.”

The ceremony will also recognize various specialized disciplines, including 124 graduates in Medicine (MB/BS), 64 in Nursing, 35 in Optometry, and 30 in Veterinary Medicine. Notably, 18 pharmacy students will graduate with distinctions, while 85 will graduate with Pass degrees, and in Physiotherapy, there’s one with distinction out of 32 Passes. The university also announced 16 diploma degree holders.

Additionally, the convocation will confer 1,875 higher degrees, which comprise 92 postgraduate diplomas, 1,280 master’s degrees across disciplines, 179 professional master’s degrees, one MPhil, and 323 doctoral degrees (PhDs).

Professor Egbewole discussed the university’s progress in digital innovation, revealing the migration to Amazon Web Services to bolster data security and minimize downtime. The institution has also launched a scalable Enterprise Resource Portal (ERP), a digital admissions ranking system, and an automated process for student union elections.

He commented on the significant advancements made during the university’s digital transformation, noting improvements in efficiency, security, and accessibility.

On the research front, the Vice-Chancellor shared the revival of the ₦200 million Senate Research Grant (SRG) and mentioned the university’s 20 patents and innovations. The LABTOP Centre at UNILORIN was recently recognized at the inaugural Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPPTO) awards in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the university is enhancing its international collaborations in fields such as veterinary research, plant breeding, and stem cell research. In agriculture, discussions with Broad Grains Limited aim to facilitate mechanized farming training, while a partnership with Oriental Energy Farms targets the cultivation of 4,000 hectares for maize and soybean production.

Highlighting the university’s commitment to research excellence, Professor Egbewole cited collaborations with Professor Ramar Krishnamurthy from Uka Tarsadia University in India, who is working alongside UNILORIN to develop a new brand of rice capable of surviving without water, with commercial production anticipated soon.

Egbewole reiterated the university’s aspiration to lead higher education in Nigeria, emphasizing that the institution is steadfastly pursuing its goal of achieving a top ranking both nationally and globally.