By Ibukun Emiola
The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Kayode Adebowale, says 448 of the 5,900 graduating students of the 2024/2025 academic session obtained First Class degrees across various fields.
Adebowale disclosed this at the first day of the convocation ceremony meant for Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, held on Tuesday in Ibadan.
He congratulated the graduands, describing their success as a reflection of discipline, hard work and perseverance.
He added that the university had prepared them to face global challenges with competence, character and creativity.
According to him, the institution remains Nigeria’s premier and among Africa’s most prestigious universities. The University of Ibadan has trained you to seize future opportunities with confidence and integrity.
Adebowale said that UI’s Postgraduate College, the largest in Africa, continued to produce high-level manpower for national and global development, while the newly established Faculty of Computing positioned the institution at the forefront of digital innovation.
He acknowledged the nation’s economic and infrastructural challenges, but praised the resilience of Nigeria’s scholars and students.
According to him, the spirit of innovation continues to drive UI’s progress and sustain its leading role in higher education.
He highlighted recent achievements by UI’s staff and students in international research, fellowships, and competitions, which, he said, demonstrated the institution’s commitment to excellence and relevance in the modern knowledge economy.
In his keynote address, UK-based Medical Practitioner and alumnus, Dr Abel Adegoke, urged the graduates to embrace resilience, service and integrity, saying challenges should be seen as stepping stones to personal and professional growth.
”True growth does not come from comfort. Go into the world not as job seekers but as solution creators. The world awaits the light of your brilliance,” he said.
One of the graduates, Ayodeji Adeyemi from European Studies Department, French unit, enjoined other students to look beyond certificates and prioritise other things that UI stood for.
”I thank God for where the weight of that name (UI) has carried me to. It has carried me to where I am currently serving as a corp member at the ECOWAS Commission office of CIS precisely.
”The name has made room for me,” Adeyemi said. (NAN)
