The University of Ilorin is set to graduate 16,152 students at its 41st Convocation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 graduands earning First Class honours.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, disclosed the figures during a press briefing at the University Auditorium in Ilorin, Kwara State, ahead of the institution’s convocation ceremonies scheduled for October 16 to 25, 2026.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the total number of graduands includes recipients of first degrees, postgraduate qualifications, professional degrees and diplomas, as well as students graduating through the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.
Of the 16,152 graduands, 11,213 are expected to receive first degrees, while 4,939 will be awarded higher degrees and diplomas.
The breakdown of first-degree results shows that 365 students earned First Class honours, 4,367 obtained Second Class Upper Division, while 5,102 graduated with Second Class Lower Division.
Another 1,006 students obtained Third Class degrees, while 30 graduands completed their programmes with Pass degrees.
The university also recorded graduands from several professional programmes, including 19 medical doctors, 89 nursing graduates, 73 pharmacy graduates, 41 optometry graduates, 89 physiotherapy graduates and 32 veterinary medicine graduates.
In the postgraduate category, the institution is expected to 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 degrees and 251 Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions will also account for 3,511 graduands.
Beyond conventional academic qualifications, UNILORIN has recorded another milestone through its U-INSPIRE programme, which equips students with relevant 21st-century skills alongside their primary academic qualifications.
A total of 8,320 students completed the programme, which was developed by the university and delivered in collaboration with 10 industry partners to strengthen employability and prepare graduates for the demands of the modern workplace.
Professor Egbewole said the graduating students represented the university’s continued commitment to academic excellence, professional training, research, innovation and the development of skilled graduates capable of contributing to national growth.
He also acknowledged the contributions of academic and non-academic staff, parents, guardians and other stakeholders to the achievements of the graduands.
The 41st Convocation Ceremony is scheduled to feature the award of degrees over three days, from Wednesday, October 21, to Friday, October 23.
The convocation lecture will be delivered by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, on the topic, “From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership.”
The ceremonies will provide an opportunity for the university to celebrate the academic achievements of its graduating students while reaffirming its commitment to quality education, research, innovation and human capital development in Nigeria.
