The University of Ilorin has announced that a total of 11,886 students will graduate during its 40th Convocation Ceremonies, which also mark the institution’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary—celebrating 50 years of academic excellence, innovation, and service to humanity.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), made the announcement on Monday during a press briefing to kick off activities for the convocation ceremonies.
Egbewole revealed that the graduating students cut across various faculties and academic programmes. Of the total, 316 students earned First Class Honours, while 4,120 and 5,939 will graduate with Second Class Upper and Second Class Lower divisions, respectively.
“In addition, we have 175 MB;BS graduands, 94 Nursing, 40 Optometry, 36 Veterinary Medicine, 64 Physiotherapy, and 13 Diploma graduates,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
He further disclosed that 1,520 higher degrees will also be conferred, including 182 Postgraduate Diplomas, 916 Master’s Degrees, 188 Professional Master’s Degrees, and 234 Ph.Ds across various faculties.
According to Egbewole, this year’s convocation is especially significant as it coincides with the university’s Golden Jubilee Celebration, scheduled to hold between Sunday, November 23 and Friday, November 28, 2025.
“As the University of Ilorin celebrates 50 years of academic distinction, we look back with pride at the strides we have made in nurturing leaders, advancing knowledge, and shaping both national and global development.
At the same time, we look forward with renewed determination to sustain our legacy of excellence in teaching, research, and community service,” he said.
Describing the convocation and jubilee as “not just milestones but a testament to five decades of unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity, and service to humanity,” the Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s achievements in research and infrastructure development.
Egbewole praised the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its continued support, noting that the university received a total of ₦2.56 billion in intervention funds covering 11 key areas, including infrastructure, academic staff training, ICT, entrepreneurship, and career services.
He added that the university also benefitted from a ₦300 million zonal intervention, a ₦4 billion Special High Impact Project (SHIP) for the College of Health Sciences, and ₦750 million for the construction of a new hostel within the College.
“These interventions have greatly strengthened our infrastructure and capacity for quality teaching and research,” he said, adding that the TETFund awards were officially presented to the university by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, in April 2025.
Speaking further, Professor Egbewole commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative of the Federal Government, describing it as a “lifeline” for students facing financial challenges.
“I am happy to report that the University of Ilorin has secured a total of ₦1.59 billion under NELFUND for 12,983 students across all disciplines, including medical students.
This laudable programme of the Federal Government has ensured that no student will drop out due to financial hardship,” he said.
Reaffirming UNILORIN’s commitment to academic excellence and national development, the Vice-Chancellor pledged that the institution would continue to “build bridges between knowledge and impact.”
“Our 50-year journey is a story of resilience, dedication, and relevance. We remain committed to producing graduates who will not only excel in their chosen careers but also contribute meaningfully to society,” he added.
