Osun State University (UNIOSUN) is set to graduate its first set of medical doctors as 4,357 students receive various degrees and diplomas during its 16th convocation ceremonies scheduled for September 18 to 24, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, disclosed this on Saturday at a press conference held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Main Campus, Osogbo, ahead of the week-long programme.
Adebooye said the 4,357 graduands comprise 3,845 first-degree holders, nine postgraduate diploma recipients, 400 master’s degree graduates and 103 doctoral degree recipients.
He described the graduation of the university’s first set of medical doctors as one of the major highlights of the convocation.
According to him, all 90 pioneer MBBS graduates had completed their studies and passed the required statutory and professional accreditation processes.
He added that the pioneer doctors were inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on August 12, 2026, and would formally receive their degrees on Wednesday, September 23.
On the academic performance of the graduating students, the Vice-Chancellor said 88 first-degree graduands made First Class, while 1,509 obtained Second Class Upper Division.
He added that 1,946 graduated with Second Class Lower Division, 220 obtained Third Class honours, while three graduated with Pass degrees.
Adebooye also disclosed that the university would graduate its pioneer students in 17 academic programmes, including Cyber Security, Information Systems, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Criminology and Security Studies, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, International Relations and Diplomacy, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work and Biotechnology.
Speaking on infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had recorded significant expansion across its campuses.
He listed the completed projects to include a FIFA-standard sports complex, a three-in-one science laboratory complex, the Governor Ademola Adeleke Lecture Theatre and a 900-capacity lecture theatre, among other academic and auditorium projects.
He further announced the commencement of construction on an ICT Resource Centre, Computer and Information Technology Laboratories, an Academic Office Complex, as well as new academic and auditorium projects at the Osogbo, Ipetu-Ijesa, Ejigbo and Ifetedo campuses.
Adebooye said the university had also strengthened its leadership structure following the appointment of Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOVAS Group, as its Chancellor.
She replaced Apostle Folorunso Alakija, whose two-term tenure ended in March.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the university’s Governing Council was reconstituted on August 31, 2026.
He said the convocation week would feature professional induction ceremonies, academic presentations, a special thanksgiving service, cultural activities and a convocation lecture.
Adebooye added that all First-Class graduates would attend a special ‘Meet the Vice-Chancellor’ dinner on Tuesday, September 22, where industrialists and employers of labour would interact with them on employment opportunities and the realities of the labour market.
The 16th Convocation Lecture, titled ‘Coping with Double Oversight: Harmonizing the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Professional Bodies for Sustainable University System,’ will be delivered on Thursday, September 24, by Prof. Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, Chairman of the Governing Board of the NUC.
The postgraduate convocation and award of PGD, M.Sc., M.A., MBA and Ph.D. degrees will follow the lecture before the ceremonies formally close at 3:00 p.m.
Adebooye said UNIOSUN remained committed to academic excellence, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, community development and responsible citizenship.
He added that the university was positioning itself to respond to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the emerging knowledge economy.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the media and other stakeholders to continue to hold the university accountable while supporting its efforts to produce graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.