The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness as the University celebrates its 40th Convocation Ceremony and 50th anniversary.
Delivering his Convocation Address on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, themed “The Man is the Style, and the Style is the Man,” Professor Egbewole said the milestone event reflects the University’s journey of resilience, discipline, and transformation.
He congratulated the 13,868 graduates, describing them as “ambassadors of the Unilorin legacy, disciplined, innovative, and better by far.” Of the total, 316 students graduated with First Class honours, 4,120 with Second Class (Upper Division), 5,939 with Second Class (Lower Division), 1,078 with Third Class, and 11 with Pass. The ceremony also includes 175 MBBS, 94 Nursing, 40 Optometry, 36 Veterinary Medicine, and 64 Physiotherapy graduates, alongside 13 Diploma recipients and 1,520 higher degree awardees, comprising 234 PhD, 916 Master’s, 188 Professional Master’s, and 182 Postgraduate Diplomas.
Professor Egbewole praised the graduating class for completing their studies during a “double landmark”, the 40th Convocation and the University’s 50th founding anniversary. “Yours is a class marked not only by timing but by tenacity, resilience, and promise,” he stated.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted major achievements during his tenure, including full accreditation for 36 of 37 academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and ₦12.45 billion in research grants across faculties. He further noted Unilorin’s inclusion in the Federal Government’s ₦110 billion medical education intervention fund, with ₦4 billion allocated to upgrade medical facilities and ₦750 million for students’ hostels.
Among other recognitions, ten Unilorin scholars were recently ranked among Nigeria’s most cited researchers, while student Sanusi Akanbi Kazeem broke the Guinness World Record for the longest mathematics lesson.
In his address, Professor Egbewole commended former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who delivered the Convocation Lecture titled “The Gen-Z Playbook: Navigating Work and the Real World.”
He emphasised the University’s continued focus on skills development through its U-INSPIRE Programme, which has trained thousands of students in entrepreneurship, leadership, and digital innovation.
The Vice Chancellor concluded by urging the graduates to embody the institution’s values of discipline, integrity, and innovation: “Go into the world, shine, conquer, and be our noble ambassadors.”
