UNILAG 56th Convocation Set to Award Over 16,500 Graduates Including 1,211 First Class and Distinctions

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced that its 56th Convocation Ceremonies will recognize a total of 16,506 graduands, including 1,211 students who will graduate with First Class honours and distinctions.

According to Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the 1,211 top-performing students comprise 617 First Class honours and 92 distinctions in Bachelor’s degree programs, alongside 502 postgraduate distinctions.

A detailed breakdown of graduates reveals:

Undergraduate Degrees

• 10,584 will receive first degrees or diplomas
• 4,543 in Second-Class Upper Division
• 3,910 in Second-Class Lower Division
• 1,023 in Third-Class
• 69 with Pass
• 330 degrees unclassified (from Faculties of Pharmacy, Dental Sciences, Health Professionals, and Clinical Sciences)

Postgraduate Awards

• 479 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) recipients, 41 with distinctions
• 5,148 Master’s degree recipients, 429 with distinctions
• 119 Ph.D. graduates
• 140 University of Lagos Business School (ULBS) participants, 32 with distinctions

Best Graduating Students

• Overall Best Graduating Student and Best in Humanities: Chukwuzubelu Benedict Umeozor (CGPA 5.00, Business Administration)
• Best Graduating Student in Sciences: Deborah Isiuwa Oloton (CGPA 4.91, Architecture)
• Overall Best Ph.D Thesis: Haruna Egbunu Abubakar (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
• Best Ph.D Thesis in Humanities: Beatrice Paul Zuhumnen (Educational Psychology)
• ULBS Best Doctoral Thesis Award: Oyeyemi Idowu Adebamowo
• Best Graduating Master’s Degree: Bamidele Joshua Olapoju (CGPA 4.94)

Convocation Activities

• January 16: Special Jumat Service at UNILAG Central Mosque
• January 19: Commissioning of UNILAG Multimedia Library Studio and Opening of Exhibition at Jelili Omotola Hall; Convocation Lecture on Nigeria’s Demographic Dividend delivered by Orondaam Otto
• January 20-21: Award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, and Prizes across faculties
• January 22: Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s, Ph.D. awards, Best Thesis Awards, Conferment of Emeritus and Distinguished Professors, Gold Medals, and Honorary Doctorates to Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu and Barrister Kanu Godwin Agabi
• January 23: Long Service Award Luncheon and Convocation Play Ovonramwen Nogbaisi
• January 25: Convocation Thanksgiving Service

2025 Milestones
Professor Ogunsola highlighted UNILAG’s achievements in research, teaching, and community service, including:

• Retaining 1st position in Nigeria in the 2026 Times Higher Education Ranking (801–1000 globally), excelling in research quality and industry income
• Winning Most International African Institution (West Africa) 2025 by the International Education (TINE) Africa Summit
• Securing over $17.3 million (≈₦24 billion) in research grants, predominantly in health-related research
• Supporting 61 startups, processing 58 IP rights, funding prototype development (₦50 million), and training over 14,000 students and youths
• Engaging nearly 10,000 participants in entrepreneurship and skills programs
• Cultural contributions including UNILAG in Town initiative and Moremi Ajasoro Restage

Professor Ogunsola emphasized that despite economic challenges, 2025 was a year of significant growth and impact, reinforcing UNILAG’s commitment to innovation, global partnerships, student-focused initiatives, and societal development.

The press conference was concluded by Registrar Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe, who appreciated media partners for their support and called for continued engagement throughout the convocation period.