UNILORIN marks 41st convocation with Tinubu’s project commissioning

President Bola Tinubu is expected to commission completed projects at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) on Friday as the institution holds activities marking its 41st convocation ceremony.

Tinubu, who is the university’s Visitor, is scheduled to visit the institution’s campus in Ilorin, Kwara State, on October 23 to inaugurate the projects completed during the year.

The commissioning is one of the major highlights of the convocation programme, which runs from October 16 to 25 and features graduation ceremonies, an academic lecture and the presentation of awards to deserving members of staff.

The university’s management said the projects form part of its ongoing efforts to improve campus infrastructure and strengthen its academic and research capacity.

The commissioning is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., following a special Jumat service at the university’s Central Mosque. A convocation luncheon and merit awards for deserving staff members are expected to follow at the university’s Multipurpose Hall.

The 41st convocation will see 16,152 students receive degrees, diplomas and other qualifications for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Vice-Chancellor Wahab Egbewole disclosed that 11,213 students would receive first degrees, while 4,939 others would graduate with postgraduate qualifications and diplomas.

A total of 365 undergraduates earned first-class honours, while 4,367 obtained second-class upper degrees and 5,102 graduated with second-class lower degrees. Another 1,006 students earned third-class degrees, while 30 received pass degrees.

The graduating class includes students from professional programmes such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine.

The university also reported that 251 students would receive doctoral degrees, alongside recipients of master’s degrees, professional master’s qualifications and postgraduate diplomas.

Beyond conventional academic qualifications, 8,320 students completed the institution’s U-INSPIRE programme, which provides additional skills training through partnerships with 10 industry partners.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, is scheduled to deliver the convocation lecture on Friday.

The lecture, titled From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership, will take place at the University Auditorium from 9 a.m.

The degree-awarding ceremonies are spread across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with graduands grouped according to their programmes of study.

The convocation activities will conclude on Sunday, October 25, with a thanksgiving service at St Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy.

Egbewole has urged invited guests and other participants to comply with arrangements put in place by the university for the smooth conduct of the ceremonies.