The University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Kwara State, is set to graduate a total of 16,152 students at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 among the graduands earning First Class honours.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on the 41st convocation ceremony of the university, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), said that the figure covers students graduating with first degrees, postgraduate qualifications, professional degrees and diplomas, as well as those from the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.
Of the 11,213 students graduating with first degrees, the Vice-Chancellor said that 365 earned First Class honours, while 4,367 obtained Second Class Upper Division and 5,102 secured Second Class Lower Division.
He said that the breakdown also showed that 1,006 graduands would receive Third Class degrees, while 30 would graduate with Pass degrees.
In the professional programmes category, the university is graduating 19 medical doctors, 89 nursing graduates, 73 pharmacy graduates, 41 optometry graduates, 89 physiotherapy graduates and 32 veterinary medicine graduates.
Prof Egbewole also said that the institution will confer 4,939 higher degrees and diplomas, comprising 160 postgraduate diplomas, 901 master’s degrees across various faculties, 114 professional master’s degrees, two Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degrees and 251 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Another 3,511 students will graduate through the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.
Beyond conventional academic qualifications, UNILORIN has also recorded 8,320 graduates under its U-INSPIRE programme, which equips students with 21st-century skills alongside their primary qualifications.
The programme’s skills training was developed within the university and delivered in collaboration with 10 industry partners, reflecting efforts to strengthen students’ employability and prepare them for the demands of the modern workplace.
One of the programme’s graduating students, Toyibah Abiodun Abdullateef of the Department of Science Education, designed the logo for the 41st convocation ceremony.
The university Vice-Chancellor said that the graduation figures reflected the institution’s continued commitment to academic excellence, professional training, research, innovation and the production of skilled graduates, capable of contributing meaningfully to national and global development.
He also attributed the graduands’ achievements to their dedication and perseverance, as well as the contributions of academic and non-teaching staff, parents, guardians and other stakeholders.
He said that the 41st convocation ceremony marks another milestone in the university’s efforts to advance higher education and develop graduates equipped to contribute to Nigeria’s development and compete in the global economy.