The University of Ilorin is set to celebrate a new batch of graduates at its 41st convocation, with 365 students earning first-class honours and thousands more completing additional professional and skills-based training.

The figures, announced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, during a press briefing on Monday, highlight the university’s efforts to combine conventional academic qualifications with practical skills aimed at improving graduates’ prospects in the labour market.

A total of 16,152 graduands are expected to receive degrees, diplomas and other qualifications for the 2025/2026 academic session. Of this number, 11,213 will receive first degrees, while 4,939 will graduate with postgraduate qualifications and diplomas.

The first-degree results show that 4,367 students earned Second Class Upper Division, while 5,102 obtained Second Class Lower Division. Another 1,006 students will graduate with Third Class degrees, while 30 will receive pass degrees.

Beyond academic classifications, the university is also highlighting its U-INSPIRE initiative, through which 8,320 students completed additional training in contemporary workplace skills. The programme was developed in collaboration with 10 industry partners to help students acquire competencies beyond their primary qualifications.

The university’s graduating cohort also includes professionals from several fields. They comprise 19 medical graduates, 89 nurses, 73 pharmacy graduates, 41 optometrists, 89 physiotherapists and 32 veterinary medicine graduates.

The postgraduate category includes 251 doctoral graduates, alongside recipients of postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, professional master’s qualifications and Master of Philosophy degrees.

Another 3,511 students are expected to graduate through the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.The figures place renewed attention on the role of universities in preparing graduates not only to obtain academic credentials but also to develop the technical and professional abilities needed in a competitive employment environment.

For UNILORIN, the convocation also provides an opportunity to assess developments under Egbewole’s administration, which began in October 2022. The Vice-Chancellor highlighted progress in research, digital infrastructure, teaching facilities, staff and student welfare, and partnerships.

The 41st convocation ceremonies will run from October 21 to 23, with degree presentations spread across the three days according to programme duration.Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, is scheduled to deliver the convocation lecture on Friday, October 23, on the transition from academic life to public leadership.

President Bola Tinubu, the university’s Visitor, is also expected to commission completed projects on campus during the ceremony.

The university’s latest graduation figures therefore present two measures of its academic output: the number of students completing formal qualifications and the additional group receiving skills training intended to support their transition into professional life.