UI, FUTA Celebrate Academic Excellence as Hundreds Bag First-Class Honours at 2025 Convocations

The University of Ibadan (UI) and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have both celebrated outstanding academic achievements as they hold their 2024/2025 convocation ceremonies, with hundreds of students earning first-class degrees across various disciplines.

At the University of Ibadan, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, announced that 448 of the 5,900 graduating students achieved First Class honours during the ceremony held on Tuesday for faculties including Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Adebowale commended the graduands for their hard work and perseverance, describing their success as “a reflection of discipline and determination.” He reaffirmed the university’s mission to produce graduates equipped to meet global challenges with competence, character, and creativity.

“The University of Ibadan has trained you to seize future opportunities with confidence and integrity,” he stated, noting that UI’s Postgraduate College — the largest in Africa — continues to produce high-level manpower for national and international development. He added that the newly established Faculty of Computing positions the institution at the forefront of digital innovation.

Delivering the keynote address, UK-based medical practitioner and UI alumnus, Dr. Abel Adegoke, encouraged the graduands to embrace resilience and integrity in their pursuit of excellence.
“True growth does not come from comfort,” he said. “Go into the world not as job seekers but as solution creators. The world awaits the light of your brilliance.”

Similarly, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, revealed that 2,747 students will be graduating during the university’s 36th convocation ceremony, with 240 earning First Class honours.

Oladiji stated that 1,479 students attained Second Class Upper, 912 earned Second Class Lower, while 116 graduated with Third Class degrees. In addition, 867 postgraduate students will also receive their degrees — including 627 MTech, 86 PGD, and 154 PhD awardees.

She highlighted that the awards for first degrees will be presented on Friday, while postgraduate awards will follow on Saturday. The overall best graduating student, Akindunbi Aduragbemi Isaac from the Department of Civil Engineering, emerged with an impressive CGPA of 4.98 out of 5.0.

Both universities reiterated their dedication to advancing education, innovation, and research excellence, as they continue to nurture future leaders for national and global impact.