Get Guardian on Google…Oriyomi Hamzat, Seun Adelore bag master’s degrees
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Peter Olapegba, has urged postgraduate graduates to deploy their knowledge, skills and research capabilities towards addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and development challenges rather than merely complain about the country’s difficulties.
Olapegba gave the charge on Saturday during the university’s 78th Convocation Ceremony for the award of postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees.
He said Nigeria was grappling with economic hardship, rising cost of living, business uncertainty and security challenges, stressing that universities must respond through research, innovation, evidence-based policies and the production of skilled problem-solvers.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the graduands to see their academic achievements as a responsibility to society by translating knowledge into practical solutions, responsible leadership and meaningful service.
He emphasised the importance of integrity, character and lifelong learning, warning that academic excellence must be accompanied by sound values.
According to him, “Excellence without character is dangerous, just as character without competence is insufficient.”
Olapegba disclosed that 3,745 graduands would receive postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees at the 2026 convocation, representing an increase of 149 over the 3,596 recorded in 2025.
He said the Faculty of Education had the highest number of graduands with 700, representing 18.7 per cent, followed by Arts with 426 and Science with 407.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that 544 graduates were in the professional master’s category, with Public Health producing 184 and the School of Business 147.
He said the university was strengthening its postgraduate orientation, noting that postgraduate students accounted for about 60 per cent of its student population, compared with 40 per cent for undergraduates.
Highlighting the institution’s research achievements, Olapegba said about 65 of its scholars had recently been recognised among the world’s top two per cent of scientists in the Stanford/Elsevier rankings.
He also described UI as Nigeria’s highest-ranked university in the 2026 QS and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The VC cited the achievements of the university’s students in innovation and engineering competitions, saying Team Orculus won the ASPEX Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abidjan with a satellite-enabled geofencing system designed to protect agricultural assets.
He added that UI students emerged first runners-up at the 2026 Nigerian Engineering Olympiad, winning a N30 million start-up grant and equipment valued at N75 million for the Faculty of Technology.
Olapegba also highlighted international academic recognitions secured by members of the university community, including appointments and leadership positions in global academic and professional organisations.
The Vice-Chancellor paid tribute to his predecessor, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, for his contributions to the institution, urging the graduands to uphold the university’s values and use their education to make a positive difference in society.
A chieftain of the Allied Peoples’ Movement [APM], Prince Seun Adelore, and Accord governorship candidate in Oyo State, Oriyomi Hamzat, were among the graduates who obtained master’s degrees from the university.
Adelore earned a Master’s degree in Energy Law, while Hamzat graduated with a Master’s degree in Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies.
Adelore urged the Federal Government to prioritise education, healthcare and energy as critical sectors for tackling poverty and accelerating national development.
Hamzat, on his part, said his academic qualification would strengthen his capacity in conflict resolution, mediation, peacebuilding and security management.
