UNILORIN Produces 365 First-Class Graduates as 16,152 Students Prepare for 41st Convocation

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is set to graduate 16,152 students at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 students earning first-class honours.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, announced the figures on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a press briefing ahead of the convocation ceremonies scheduled for October 21 to 23.

According to the university, 11,213 graduands will receive first degrees, while 4,939 will graduate with postgraduate qualifications and diplomas.

Among the first-degree graduands, 4,367 earned Second Class Upper Division, 5,102 obtained Second Class Lower Division, 1,006 received Third Class degrees, and 30 graduated with pass degrees.

The graduating class also includes 19 medical graduates, 89 nurses, 73 pharmacy graduates, 41 optometrists, 89 physiotherapists and 32 veterinary medicine graduates.

The postgraduate category comprises 251 doctoral graduates, alongside recipients of postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees, professional master's qualifications and Master of Philosophy degrees. Another 3,511 students are expected to graduate through the university's Centre for Affiliated Institutions.

Beyond academic qualifications, the university highlighted its U-INSPIRE initiative, through which 8,320 students completed additional training in contemporary workplace skills. The programme, developed in collaboration with 10 industry partners, is designed to equip students with practical competencies beyond their primary qualifications and improve their prospects in the labour market.

Professor Egbewole also highlighted progress under his administration in research, digital infrastructure, teaching facilities, staff and student welfare, and institutional partnerships.

A major highlight of the convocation will be the lecture titled “From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership,” to be delivered by Sierra Leone's Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, on Friday, October 23.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the university's Visitor, is also expected to commission completed projects on campus during the ceremonies.

The 41st convocation will celebrate the academic achievements of graduands while highlighting the university's efforts to combine formal education with professional training and practical skills development.