UNILAG Graduates 16,409, Breaks Record with 561 First-Classes

 By Daniel Nnamani

The University of Lagos today began awarding bachelor and postgraduate degrees to a total of 16,409 with a groundbreaking record of 561 first-class students who graduated in the 2023/2024 academic session at the University’s 55th convocation ceremony.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, during the pre-convocation press briefing on  Wednesday, January 9th, 2025, disclosed that 9,684 will receive first degrees, while 6,659 students will receive postgraduate degrees and 66 will graduate from the UNILAG Business School

Speaking on best graduating students and other remarkable achievements, Prof Ogunsola said, “Our two overall best graduating student is shared by two students from the faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics with a perfect score of 5.00- Damilare Haroun Adebakin and Samuel Akinade Badekale. 

“The best graduating student from the humanities is Olamide Idris Emida from the Faculty of Management Sciences in the department of Accounting with CGPA of 4.95.  The overall best Ph.D. Thesis award for this year goes to Adetoun Alaba Akitoye, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D. thesis (Humanities) is Eniola Niniola Ladipo.  

A breakdown of the figures by Prof. Ogunsola shows that a total of 561 graduated with  first-class degrees and distinction, 3,916 with second-class upper, 3,763 finished with second-class lower, 1,143 finished with third-class, 78 pass degrees and 223 unclassified degrees. 

For postgraduate results, a total of 513 earned postgraduate degrees with 480 passes and 33 distinctions. 5933 bagged their master’s degree with 5,504 passes and 429 distinctions. While 213 earned their doctorate degree from various academic fields. 

Prof. Ogunsola announced that three eminent Nigerians will be conferred with honorary degrees for their remarkable contribution to the development of Nigeria. 

“We will also be conferring Honorary degrees in recognition to 3 personalities who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development. This year we have the privilege of honouring two men and a woman, who have shown that integrity, hard work and service to the Nation. They are Mr. Fola Adeola OFR, Engr. Kolawole Adesina, MFR, FNSE and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, GCON will be conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D. Sc),” she said.