69-Year-Old Woman Joins 5,000 Others to Take Matriculation Oath at University of Ibadan

In a remarkable display of determination and lifelong learning, Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, a 69-year-old pig farmer and retired Data Processing Officer, stood out as one of the newly admitted students who took the matriculation oath at the Distance Learning Centre of the University of Ibadan for the 2024/2025 Academic Session.

Mrs. Akomolafe, who enrolled to study Social Work, joined over five thousand learners at the ceremony, marking the official start of her journey towards earning a university degree.

Born on December 22, 1956, she obtained her West African School Certificate in 1976 from Government Secondary School, Creek Road, Port Harcourt. Nearly five decades later, driven by her desire to return to academics, she sat again for both the WASSCE and NECO in 2024 to secure the required credits for university admission.

Before this academic pursuit, she had a long career at RT Briscoe Motor Company, where she worked as a Data Processing Officer before retiring. Afterwards, she ventured into entrepreneurship, first as a baking flour distributor for Nigerian Eagle Flour Mills and later as a pig farmer.

Now, as a Social Work student, Mrs. Akomolafe says her goal is to deepen her understanding of human and community development to effectively run her non-governmental organization, Christ’s Care for the Widow.

A proud mother of four — three men and one woman — she remains focused and optimistic about the journey ahead, declaring her ambition to graduate with First Class honours despite her age.

Her story continues to inspire both young and old, reinforcing the timeless truth that education truly has no age limit.