KWASU Awards 82 First Class Degrees at 13th Convocation Ceremony

The 13th Convocation Ceremony for the award of first and postgraduate degrees and the presentation of prizes at Kwara State University (KWASU) was heralded by a week-long of events that started with the Vice-Chancellor's Press Briefing.

At the Convocation proper, the Visitor to the University and Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq CON, stated that his administration has made significant investments to ensure quality and accessible tertiary education for the people of the state. 

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibo Kawu, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state-owned university maintains its world-class status, noting that the recent completion of the Osi and Ilesha-Baruba campuses demonstrated the government’s resolve to provide quality academic infrastructure.

The Visitor urged the graduands not to be bystanders but actively provide sustainable solutions to developmental problems while also encouraging them to be worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.

The Chancellor of the University, Engr. Dr. Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, FNSE, stressed that KWASU, through effective collaboration, has established itself as a brand of excellence in teaching, research, community development, and entrepreneurship training. Commending the strong support given to the University by its proprietor, the Chancellor noted that such support is essential for achieving the institution’s vision and mission.

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, OON, noted that the cooperation and collaboration among trade unions, students, and management has enabled the University to maintain a stable academic calendar and an atmosphere of industrial harmony across its campuses. He also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers and host communities in Moro, Ekiti, and Baruten Local Government Areas for their continued support.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, while presenting the statistics of graduating students, revealed that out of the 8,119 students who successfully completed their programmes during the 2024/2025 academic session, 7,618 were awarded first degrees, while 501 received postgraduate degrees.

According to him, 81 graduates earned First Class honours, 1,986 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, while 1,355 obtained Third Class degrees. 

The 13th Convocation also produced 75 doctoral graduates, 160 academic master’s degree holders, and 266 professional master’s degree recipients.

Professor Jimoh, while highlighting the academic, research, and infrastructural achievements recorded during the academic year under review, attributed the successes to the exemplary commitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff. He assured stakeholders that the University’s management would remain steadfast in pursuing the institution’s vision and mission.

The high point of the event was the presentation of prizes where Abdulrafiu Abolaji Ibrahim from the Civil Engineering Department won the 2024/2025 session Vice-Chancellor's prize for the overall best graduating student.

The 13th Convocation Ceremony commenced on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, with a press briefing, followed by an exhibition of products and services developed by various departments and centres within the university.

The Convocation Lecture, held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, was delivered by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, OFR. The lecture was titled “Universities in the Age of Quantum Thinking: Redefining Quality, Relevance, and Innovation through Emerging Technologies."

In his lecture, Professor Okebukola, explaining that Quantum thinking meant to think in new, creative ways, recommending that, given the rapid expansion and interconnectedness of knowledge in the digital age, KWASU should develop a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) literacy programme to ensure that every graduate possesses a basic understanding of AI and its capabilities.

Speaking on the multidimentionality of quality in the Quantum age, Emeritus Professor Okebukola further suggested that the Nigerian Universities Commision (NUC) should require all universities to develop and implement AI ethics framework before deploying AI tools for admissions and student assessment. This, he argued, will ensure that AI systems are used responsibly and in shaping the future of education. 

After the lecture, the traditional convocation stage play was performed by the Department of Performing Arts and Film Studies. Titled Lisabi Agbongbo-akala written by Olu Owolabi, the stage play depicted a brief history of the betrayal of Lisabi by his own people.

On Friday, December 12th, 2025, at a Luncheon organised for staff of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, announced Engr. Dr. Abdulwaheed Musa of the Faculty of Engineering and Mr. Sikiru Lawal as the winners of the Researcher and Staff of the year 2024/2025 awards respectively. 

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the prizes were instituted to encourage staff to put in their best efforts.