The University of Ibadan (UI) has convocated a total of 9,569 graduands across various academic programmes as the premier institution marked its 77th Founder’s Day anniversary.
Speaking during the ceremony for the award of Doctor of Philosophy degrees and the Founder’s Day address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, described the journey of the graduands as arduous but fulfilling. He noted that seeing the new graduates stand triumphant filled the university community with immense pride.
In his own remarks, the Chancellor of the University and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, appealed for increased funding for the nation’s education sector. He stressed that universities cannot continue delivering quality training and world-class research without adequate support from government, corporate bodies, and well-meaning Nigerians. According to him, improved investment in education remains essential for safeguarding the nation’s future.
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Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Chief Bisi Akande, called for the reduction of bureaucratic bottlenecks that continue to impede university administration in the country. He lamented that excessive procedural hurdles, slow approval processes, and restrictive regulatory frameworks undermine institutional efficiency and limit the capacity of universities to respond swiftly to emerging global challenges. Akande urged policymakers to grant universities greater administrative autonomy to strengthen innovation and competitiveness.
Represented at the event, the Visitor to the University and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured the institution of his administration’s continued support for the education sector. He highlighted the significant investments already made through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the strengthened interventions of TETFund, noting that these initiatives are designed to remove financial barriers for students while accelerating infrastructural and academic development across tertiary institutions. The President reaffirmed that his government remains firmly committed to revitalising the education sector for national growth.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, “The worth of a university degree is in the industry, learning, and character that the holder displays daily from the moment of obtaining the degree. It is also the humane character expressed by the holder in a world that is aching.”
UI VC, Prof. Adebowale reaffirmed that the University of Ibadan awards certificates only to graduands who have been found worthy in both character and learning. He added that the management remains committed to sustaining UI’s reputation as a pacesetter and trailblazer in higher education development in Nigeria, stating, “This is the reason the University of Ibadan has been able to retain its position as the University of first choice in the training of high-level manpower.
Below is the breakdown of the category’s of the 9,569 graduands and their numbers:
— 5,900 Undergraduate degrees
— 22 Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
— 2,690 Academic Master’s degrees
— 273 Professional Master’s degrees
— 124 Postgraduate Diplomas
— 73 Master’s degrees from PAULESI (Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, including Health and Agriculture)
— 487 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees
