A total of sixteen thousand, four hundred and nine (16, 409) students will be admitted into various undergraduate and postgraduate degrees of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at the 55th (2024) Convocation Ceremonies slated for Monday, January 13 to Friday, January 17, 2025.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, disclosed this at the Pre-Convocation Press Conference which was held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the Senate Chamber of the University.
Convocation Statistics/Awards
During the press conference which served as the traditional curtain raiser for the convocation ceremonies of the University, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that: “of the total graduating students, nine thousand, six hundred and eighty four (9,684) will be admitted into first degrees and diplomas; six thousand, six hundred and fifty nine (6,659) will be awarded postgraduate degrees while sixty six (66) will graduate from the UNILAG Business School (ULBS).”
Other statistics are as follows:
- First Class Degrees and Distinctions: 561
- Second Class Upper Degrees: 3,916
- Second Class Lower Degrees: 3,763
- Third Class Degree: 1,143
- Pass Degrees: 78
- Unclassified Degrees: 223
The cynosures at this year’s convocation ceremonies in the undergraduate category are Damilare Haroun ADEBAKIN and Samuel Akinade BADEKALE, both of the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science. The duo graduated with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Olamide Idris Emida of the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, emerged as the Best Graduating Student in Humanities having finished with a 4.95 CGPA.
The overall best Ph.D. thesis award for this year goes to Adetoun Alaba AKITOYE, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D. thesis in Humanities goes to Eniola Niniola LADIPO.
Activities of 55th (2024) Convocation Ceremonies:
The 55th (2024) Convocation Ceremonies is scheduled to continue on Friday, January 10, 2025, with a Special Jumat Service at the UNILAG Central Mosque, while Opening of Exhibition is slated for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the UNILAG Senate Car Park Opposite J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium.
Still on Monday, January 13, 2025, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of UNILAG Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN will commission the following three (3) projects:
- The Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug Recovery & Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance Analytical Laboratory (ACEDHARS Building);
- The new 120 bedspace Moremi Hall extension; and
- The new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of the University Main library which is dedicated to student-centered services, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation.
Later at noon, the Convocation lecture titled: Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation will be delivered by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Dr. Tayo Aduloju under the Chairmanship of the immediate past Minister of Works and former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON. Thereafter, the groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) building donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun will hold at the UNILAG Consult axis of the University.
Congregation for the Award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes to Graduating students of Faculties begins on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 with Graduating students from the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences having their turns during the morning session (9:00 am) while those from the Faculties of Arts, Environmental Sciences, and Science will have theirs during the afternoon session (1:00 pm).
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, graduating students from the Faculties of Engineering, Law, and Management Sciences are slated for the morning session while those from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, and Pharmacy, as well as Distance Learning Institute (DLI) are for the afternoon session.
Congregation for the Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master Degrees, Doctorate Degrees and Best Ph.D. Thesis Award of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS); DBA and EMBA of the UNILAG Business School (ULBS); and Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees will hold on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Two highly revered and retired academics of the University: Professor Babajide Alo, FAS (Department of Chemistry) and Professor Olukayode Amund (Department of Microbiology) will be awarded Professors Emeriti in recognition of their contributions to scholarship and the academia while Professor Victor Ariole (Department of European Languages) will bag the Gold Medal Award for his ongoing contributions to the University and the nation.
The day will also witness the conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D. Sc.) on:
- Director General of World Trade Organization/Former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala;
- Nigerian Entrepreneur/Managing Director of Sahara Group and UNILAG Alumnus, Mr. Kola Adesina; and
- Nigerian businessman/Investor and Co-Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank; Mr. Fola Adeola.
After this congregation, a Luncheon with the Doyen will hold at the Senate Lounge, 1st Floor, Senate House.
Friday, January 17, 2025 is dedicated to Long Service Award ceremony at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall, while the Convocation Play titled: Langbodoby Wale Ogunyemi will hold at 4:00 pm at the JF. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
The 55th Convocation Ceremonies will wind down on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, UNILAG, Akoka.
The Programme of Events and General Information for the 55th Convocation Ceremonies are available via: https://unilag.edu.ng/?p=46230 and https://unilag.edu.ng/?p=46051.
2024 Score Card
The Pre-Convocation Press Conference was an opportunity for the Vice-Chancellor to present the University Management’s score card for the year 2024 while also projecting into the year 2025.
She said “we continued to focus on financial engineering, infrastructural development reputation building and manpower development, we focused on building leaders for the future and minds that are relevant both locally and globally. In doing this, we forged new collaborations, exposed our students to international and national competitions, training and internships, developed more spaces and worked to improve the environment of learning”.
Prof. Ogunsola listed a number of milestone achievements for the year 2024, including:
- Domiciliation of the MED-AFRICA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Laboratory in the University (3rd of such facility in Africa) valued at 450,000 USD;
- The Green Air Initiative and Electric Buses;
- Ground breaking for the UNILAG-UNIPOD Project (AI)-themed facility;
- Signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with not less than fourteen (14) universities across Africa, Europe, and the Americas; and
- Membership of the Afretec Network
She also highlighted the Energy Innovation Challenge, Eco-STEM Bootcamp for Girls, Tech Skills Marketplace Internship Program, the Elsevier Journal Editors Workshop, Hostel Rehabilitation and Upgrades, Upgrade and Rehabilitation of the UBA Park by UBA PLC, Renovation of the J.F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium and several other infrastructure improvements as some of the landmark achievements of the previous year.
The Vice-Chancellor specially appreciated the University’s alumni body, stakeholders and friends for their interventions and support in various forms over the years. A feat, she said, must be continued for the continued growth and advancement of the UNILAG Brand.
Kindly click HERE for the full text of Professor Ogunsola’s address, and click: https://youtube.com/live/nwakm_2CW9o to view the 55th Pre-Convocation Press Conference.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photography: Ayomide Oloyede & Favour Megw