The University of Ibadan (UI) has produced 448 First Class graduates out of a total of 5,900 students for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the opening of the institution’s convocation ceremonies in Ibadan.
The event covered graduates from the Faculties of Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Adebowale described the outstanding performance as proof of the graduates’ discipline, hard work, and perseverance, pointing out that the institution had equipped them with “competence, character, and creativity” to meet global standards and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“The University of Ibadan has trained you to seize future opportunities with confidence and integrity,” he said, reaffirming UI’s position as Nigeria’s premier and one of Africa’s most respected universities.
He highlighted the institution’s continuous strides in academic excellence, noting that the Postgraduate College, Africa’s largest, remains a powerhouse of advanced scholarship.
Adebowale also mentioned that the recently established Faculty of Computing has placed UI at the forefront of digital innovation in higher education.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural difficulties, the Vice Chancellor praised the resilience and ingenuity of both students and faculty members, which, he said, continue to propel the university’s growth.
“Our scholars and students are pushing boundaries through research, innovation, and international collaborations,” Adebowale added, citing numerous awards and global recognitions recently won by members of the university community.
Delivering the convocation lecture, UK-based medical practitioner and UI alumnus, Dr. Abel Adegoke, charged the new graduates to uphold resilience, integrity, and service in their pursuits.
True growth does not come from comfort. Go into the world not as job seekers but as creators of solutions. The world awaits the light of your brilliance”, Adegoke said.
Representing the graduates, Ayodeji Adeyemi of the Department of European Studies (French Unit) urged fellow graduands to value the broader lessons of UI beyond academic qualifications.
“I thank God for the weight of the UI name—it has already opened doors for me, including my current service at the ECOWAS Commission,” he said.
The convocation ceremonies will continue through the week with events lined up for other faculties and postgraduate students.
