By Clifford Ejenavi
The Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, at the 55th Conversation Press Brief of the University held on Wednesday January 8, 2025 in Lagos, disclosed that the university will be graduating a total of 16,409 students this year. The VC said of the 16,409 graduating students, 9,684 will receive First Degrees and Diplomas while 6,659 will be awarded Postgraduate Degrees. She added that 66 students will graduate from the UNILAG Business School.
The VC further revealed that two overall best graduating student, Damilare Haroun Adebakin and Samuel Akinade Badekale from the Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, shared a perfect score of 5.0 CGPA. While the best graduating student from the Humanities is Olamide Idris Emida from the Faculty of Management Sciences in the Department of Accounting with CGPA of 4.95. The overall best Ph.D. Thesis award for this year goes to Adetoun Alaba Akiyoye, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D. thesis (Humanities) is Eniola Niniola Ladipo.
The 55th convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos according to the Vice-Chancellor is a week-long celebrations and awards of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters, Doctorate Degrees and Honorary Awards
She said, “On Friday, January 10, we will commence with a JUMAT service at the University Central Mosque followed with a series of events starting at 9am on Monday 13 with an exhibition of innovations and works of our staff and students at the Senate Car Par. We will proceed from there to the commissioning of three projects by our Pro-Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, these are the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug Recovery & Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance Analytical Laboratory (ACEDHARS Building) – one of the World Bank supported centres of excellence project which is focused on the development of indigenous plants for medical applications. We are also commissioning the new 120 bedspace Moremi Hall extension and finally the new Ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centered services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation.
“At noon, the main event, the Convocation Lecture titled, ‘Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation’ will be delivered by Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) at J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium. We are looking forward to a very thought-provoking lecture that will add to the discuss on funding of tertiary education and positioning them as drivers of economic and social development. We are privileged to have as Chairman, former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, whose clarity in addressing issues was pivotal to innovative reforms and development of our country.
“At 3pm, we will have a groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies building donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun in commemoration of his 80th Birthday. This is a dream come true. The building was first conceptualised in 2014, but we were unable to build it. 10 years later we are finally here that will end the sojourn of the school on the top floor of the Faculty of Education building.
“On Tuesday the 14th, we will begin the award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, and Prizes to graduating students of the Faculties of Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences. On Wednesday the 15th, the conferment of degrees will be for graduands from the College of Medicine in the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Dental Sciences, and Faculties of Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).
“On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees including DBA and EMBA will be conferred on graduands of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS). The highlight of the day will be the recognition of the achievement of various individuals for their contributions to scholarship and humanity. We will recognise two distinguished professors who have retired but continue to contribute to scholarship and academia by awarding them as Professors emeriti of the University of Lagos. These are Professor Babajide Alo, (of the Department of Chemistry) and Professor Olukayode Amund (Department of Microbiology). In the same ceremony, we will be awarding Professor Victor Ariole, (Department of European Languages) a Gold Medal for his ongoing contributions to the university and the nation.
“We will also be conferring Honorary Degrees in recognition to three personalities who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development. This year, we have the privilege of honouring two men and a woman, who have shown that Integrity, hard work and service to the nation. They are: Mr. Fola Adeola, Engr. Kolawole Adesina, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. They will be conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc).
“Mr. Fola Adeola – A distinguished Nigerian businessman and investor, most known as a Co-Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc) is also the founder of FATE foundation, an NGO dedicated to supporting young Nigerian entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, loans, and consulting. The Foundation has impacted over 30,000 entrepreneurs, and a member of the Commission for Africa. He is the brain behind the new pension reform and is globally recognized for his integrity, business acumen and innovative contributions to the financial sector and national development.
Mr. Kolawole Adesina is the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group, a global energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in 42 countries. He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos with a diverse background spanning academia, finance, energy, trade, and diplomacy. Under his leadership, Sahara Power focuses on providing sustainable energy solutions across Africa. Mr. Adesina also chairs several boards, including Ikeja Electric Distribution Company, contributing significantly to energy policy and infrastructure development in Nigeria. His company has awarded prizes to Students in various fields and recognised the work of Faculty members through the MAD (Making a Difference) award. $12000 award yearly.
“Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is the first woman and the first African to lead the organization. A distinguished economist, she is renowned for her integrity and significant economic reforms in Nigeria’s financial sector. She is particularly admired for her role in the Paris Club negotiations, which resulted in the cancellation of Nigeria’s $30 billion debt. Her global recognition stems from her professional expertise and transformative leadership.
“We are very honoured that these three personalities accepted our recognitions. Unfortunately, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will be unable to attend in person this year, but we will confer on her at next year’s convocation ceremony.
“On Friday, January 17, 2025, there will be a Long Service Award at 10am, followed at 4pm by the convocation play. This year we will be treated to Langbodo by Wale Ogunyemi at JF Ade Ajayi Auditorium. The ceremonies will formally come to an end on Sunday, January 19, 2025, with a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos.”
Prof. Ogunsola therefore thanked members of the Senate, staff, and all stakeholders for remaining focused and committed to excellence despite the continued economic and social challenges that has characterized our life in the last one year, adding that it speaks to the integrity and responsibility of staff.
She assured that in line with their mandate of Teaching, Research and Service and as part of her vision and Future Ready Agenda, the university will continued to focus on financial engineering, Infrastructural development, reputation building and manpower development. She maintained that they are focused on building leaders for the future and minds that are relevant both locally and globally. In doing this, she emphasised their readiness to always forged new collaborations, exposed their students to international and national competitions, training and internships, developed more spaces and worked to improve the environment of learning.
