A total of 256 students from the University of Ilorin will graduate with first-class honours at the institution's upcoming 39th convocation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), disclosed this during a press briefing at the university auditorium on Thursday, where he revealed that 12,042 students will be graduating in total. The graduating students span across various faculties, including Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine.

He said, “For the 39th convocation ceremonies, the university shall be graduating a total of 12,042. In the First Degree/Diploma category, we have 256 First Class graduates, 3,842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 Third Class and 62 Pass.

“The 39th Convocation Ceremonies also include 124 MBBS graduands, 64 Nursing graduands, 35 Optometry graduands, 30 Veterinary Medicine graduands, 18 graduands with Distinction and 85 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy, one distinction and 32 Pass in Physiotherapy.

“We have a total of 16 Diploma degree holders. Furthermore, the total number of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 39th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,875.

“Out of this figure, there are 92 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,280 Masters from various faculties, 179 Professional Masters, 1 MPhil and 323 PhDs.”

Speaking further, Egbewole reaffirmed the university's commitment to becoming a leader in higher education in Nigeria.

“Our desire to be number one in Nigeria is on course. We are taking deliberate steps to position ourselves for global ranking,” he said.

Egbewole highlighted the university's strides in digital innovation, with the migration to Amazon Web Services to enhance data security and reduce downtimes.

Other advancements include the introduction of a scalable Enterprise Resource Portal, a digital admissions ranking system, and an automated system for student union elections.

“The University of Ilorin has made remarkable progress in its digital transformation journey, which has enhanced efficiency, security, and accessibility in our operations,” Prof Egbewole added.

The Vice-Chancellor further noted the university's achievements in research, including the revival of the N200m Senate Research Grant and its 20 patents and innovations.

He added that the institution's LABTOP Centre also received recognition at the Inaugural Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices awards in Nigeria.

“Additionally, UNILORIN is expanding its international collaborations in veterinary research, plant breeding, and stem cell research.

“In agriculture, the university is working with Broad Grains Limited on mechanised farming training and partnering with Oriental Energy Farms to cultivate 4,000 hectares for maize and soybean production.

“One of the international academics who strengthened our teaching and research capabilities was Prof Ramar Krishnamurthy from Uka Tarsadia University, India.

“Presently he is collaborating with our university to grow a brand of rice that does not need to be in water to survive. The rice is expected to be produced in commercial quantities very soon,” he said.