In a remarkable celebration of academic excellence and achievement, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has graduated 3,136 students from three of its faculties as part of its ongoing 56th convocation ceremonies. The event, held on January 20, 2026, at the university’s main campus in Akoka, Lagos, brought together proud graduands, their families, university officials, and distinguished guests for a memorable and inspiring day of recognition.
A Milestone Occasion in UNILAG’s Academic Calendar
The convocation ceremony forms part of a three-day event during which degrees and diplomas will be awarded to students from a broad range of disciplines across the university’s faculties. On this first day alone, graduands from the Faculties of Education, Communication and Media Studies, and Social Sciences were presented with their awards — a testament to the breadth of academic programmes and the depth of talent nurtured at UNILAG.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, delivered a warm and encouraging welcome address to graduands, their families and invited guests. She emphasised the university’s ongoing commitment to producing graduates equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing and globally competitive world.
Strong Academic Performance and Recognition
Among the distinguished achievers recognized at the ceremony were students who excelled academically:
- David Adebayo emerged as best graduating student in the Faculty of Education with an impressive CGPA of 4.92, also ranking as a joint top performer in the sciences.
- Tosin Odunewu recorded a strong CGPA of 4.89 in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
- Baki Adams topped the Faculty of Social Sciences with a CGPA of 4.85.
- In the Sandwich Programme, Stella Okeke recorded an excellent CGPA of 4.91, showcasing consistent academic excellence across programmes.
These outstanding results highlight the high standards of teaching and learning at UNILAG and reflect the hard work and dedication of both students and staff.
Part of a Broader Convocation Celebration
The Vice-Chancellor noted that this first graduation session is just one part of a larger celebration. Across the three days of the convocation, the university will confer degrees on a total of 16,506 students — including first degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate credentials. Out of these, 10,584 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 5,782 will be awarded postgraduate degrees. The University of Lagos Business School will also graduate 140 students as part of the event.
This diverse array of graduands underscores UNILAG’s role in advancing higher education and developing talent across undergraduate and advanced academic levels.
Commitment to Innovation, Growth, and Future Challenges
During her remarks, Prof. Ogunsola not only celebrated the achievements of the day’s graduands but also reaffirmed UNILAG’s long-standing commitment to strengthening its academic programmes, research capabilities, and infrastructure. She highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance facilities that support learning, research, innovation and student welfare on campus.
Looking ahead, the Vice-Chancellor reminded graduates that education is a lifelong journey and encouraged them to embrace challenges beyond the classroom with resilience, adaptability and creativity. She singled out evolving technological landscapes — particularly developments in artificial intelligence and digital innovation — as areas where future graduates can make significant contributions.
UNILAG: A Reputation for Excellence and Impact
This year’s ceremony follows a period of notable achievements for the university. Recent global university rankings place UNILAG among Nigeria’s leading institutions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, enhancing its reputation regionally and internationally.
Additionally, UNILAG’s efforts in youth and innovation empowerment have seen the institution engage over 14,000 young people and support 61 startups across various sectors in 2025 alone — a reflection of its broader societal impact beyond the classroom.
Celebrating a New Generation of Leaders
The convocation at UNILAG marks a significant milestone not only for the graduands but also for their families, friends, and the university community. As the institution continues its tradition of nurturing future leaders, innovators, educators and professionals, today’s graduates leave the halls of academia ready to contribute positively to society.
In closing, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ogunsola encouraged graduands to remain lifelong learners and change-makers in a fast-evolving world — a message that resonates deeply in an era of rapid technological progress and global interconnectivity.
