UNILORIN graduates 16,152 as varsity records major breakthroughs in research, innovation
• Secures N1bn TETFund grant, produces 365 first-class graduates
• Three undergraduates win N150m FG-SUG grants
By Felix Ajide
ILORIN — The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) says it recorded significant achievements in academic excellence, research, innovation, infrastructure development and international collaborations in the 2025/2026 academic session, as it prepares to graduate 16,152 students at its 41st convocation ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, disclosed this while presenting the institution’s achievements at the convocation, highlighting major developments that have strengthened the university’s position in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Egbewole said the achievements reflected the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, research-driven development, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships, reinforcing its longstanding motto, Better by Far.
He said the university’s graduating class comprised 11,213 first-degree recipients and 4,939 recipients of higher degrees and diplomas.
According to him, 365 students will graduate with First Class honours, while 4,367 will obtain Second Class Upper Division, 5,102 Second Class Lower Division, 1,006 Third Class and 30 Pass degrees.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the university would also graduate 8,320 participants in its U-INSPIRE programme, through which students acquired additional 21st-century skills developed in collaboration with 10 industry partners.
He described the programme as part of the institution’s efforts to equip graduates with practical competencies beyond their primary academic qualifications.
Among the institution’s major achievements during the period was its emergence as one of the winners of the sixth National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M), organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“The university received N25 million in recognition of its commitment to compliance with admission regulations and the advancement of Nigeria’s educational system.
“The award was presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, on May 11, 2026.”
In another significant development, Prof Egbewole said the university secured a N1 billion High Impact Intervention grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for equipment upgrades in its Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
According to him, the Department of Microbiology also received scientific equipment valued at 59,846.02 euros, approximately N100 million, under the XSTAR Project Nigeria.
“The consignment includes a Luminex MAGPIX system, ultrasonic bath, microplate shakers and other advanced laboratory instruments.
“Similarly, the university’s Central Research Laboratory was selected among a limited number of Nigerian laboratories to participate in a national baseline study on lead-analysis capacity in Northern Nigeria.
“The study is being conducted in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, with support from the United States Agency for International Development,” he added
On academic quality assurance, Egbewole said 11 programmes received full accreditation following an exercise conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in November 22025
He said the university also won the 2025/2026 Responsible Futures Fee Waiver Grant awarded by the International Association of Universities (IAU), becoming,
According to the Vice-Chancellor, tthe University of Ilorin is the first Nigerian university to receive the award.
“The initiative promotes the integration of sustainability into university culture and operations.
“UNILORIN recorded notable achievements in engineering, health sciences and technology-driven research, with students and staff winning national and international recognition ” the Vice-Chancellor said.
He said the institution made history by becoming the first Nigerian university to secure podium finishes in all award categories at the 2026 Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) Students’ Competition in a single edition.
“The achievement was recorded at the 34th Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja on July 14, 2026,” Egbewole added.
He said in an effort to address transportation challenges on campus, the university commissioned five compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and 20 electric tricycles on January 2, 2026.
Egbewole said seven additional CNG buses were subsequently acquired through UNILORIN Holdings Ltd., bringing the university’s CNG bus fleet to 12.
“The electric tricycles were alao provided under a TETFund-supported initiative,” he added.
The award of degrees to graduands in four-year programmes will take place on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, while graduands in five- and six-year programmes will receive their degrees on Friday, October 23.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the university’s Visitor, is expected to commission completed projects on the campus on October 23 at 2:30 p.m. The day’s activities will conclude with a convocation luncheon and merit awards to deserving staff members.
The ceremonies will end with a thanksgiving church service at St Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy on Sunday, October 25.
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