Get Guardian on GoogleThe Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Peter Olapegba, and the commencement speaker, Olayemi Oladiran, have charged the 6,025 graduates of the institution to uphold excellence, integrity, consistency and hard work in their careers and contribute meaningfully to national development.
They gave the charge yesterday in Ibadan during the first day of the university’s 78th convocation ceremony for first degree graduates, where 509 students earned First Class honours.
Olapegba urged the graduates to deploy the knowledge, resilience and character acquired during their academic training to address societal challenges, stressing the need for them to uphold the values of excellence, integrity and service.
The vice-chancellor said the university remained committed to sustaining its heritage of academic excellence, advancing research and producing graduates capable of responding to emerging global challenges.
He, however, disclosed that UI recorded impressive performances in the 2026 QS and Times Higher Education World University rankings, emerging as the best university in Nigeria and West Africa and ranking fourth in Africa.
Also speaking, Oladiran, Chief Operating Officer, English-Speaking West Africa, Groupe Ethica, urged the graduates to combine their natural potential with consistency, patience and sustained effort to achieve excellence.
He said professional success required more than academic qualifications, advising the graduates to develop expertise, embrace continuous learning and distinguish themselves through their ability to provide solutions to societal and workplace challenges.
