The legal battle between the University of Ibadan (UI) and a postgraduate student, Mr. Kayode Bello, over his alleged exclusion from graduation has been adjourned by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan until October 29, 2026.

Bello, who is representing himself in the matter, said he urged the appellate court to hear the appeal immediately, arguing that a further delay could prevent him from participating in the university’s November 2026 convocation.

The appeal followed an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered in October 2025 by Justice Evelyn Maha, which reportedly ordered the university to reopen Bello’s master’s student portal and allow him to participate in the institution’s convocation after completing his Master’s degree in Communication and Language Arts.

The University of Ibadan and several of its officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Provost of the Postgraduate College and other principal officers, subsequently appealed the judgment.

The appeal came up before Justice Georgewill Abraham of the Court of Appeal on July 3 after an earlier adjournment for court-ordered mediation between the parties.

According to Bello, the mediation held on July 1 before the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mrs. Maryam Belgore, ended without a settlement.

In a statement made available to journalists, Bello alleged that Belgore threatened him with a longer hearing date if he failed to cooperate during the mediation process. He also accused the court official of displaying bias in favour of the university’s counsel, allegations that have not been independently verified.

Despite his request for an accelerated hearing, the court fixed October 29 for the substantive hearing of the appeal.

Bello expressed concern that the adjournment could prevent him from graduating in November if the appeal is not concluded before the university’s convocation.

He noted that the dispute, which began at the Federal High Court in 2022, has remained unresolved despite the lower court’s judgment in his favour.

Counsel to the appellants include Messrs. Frederick Ladapo, Akinade Adesokan and Tomoloju Benjamin of the law firm of the late Chief Ladosu Ladapo (SAN).