The University of Lagos will celebrate academic excellence on a grand scale as 1,211 students emerge with First Class honours and distinctions at its 56th Convocation Ceremonies, scheduled for January 16–25, 2026.
This was disclosed on Tuesday, January 14, 2026, when the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, addressed journalists at a press conference to unveil the convocation statistics, award winners and programme of events.
Excellence in Numbers, Stories in Faces
According to Prof. Ogunsola, the 1,211 top-performing graduands comprise 617 First Class honours and 92 distinctions at the bachelor’s level, alongside 502 postgraduate distinctions—a figure she described as a testament to the University’s growing academic rigour.
In all, 10,584 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 5,922 others will graduate with postgraduate qualifications.
A closer look at the figures shows:
4,543 Second Class Upper graduates
3,910 Second Class Lower
1,023 Third Class
69 Pass degrees
330 unclassified degrees from professional health-related faculties.
At the postgraduate level, UNILAG will award:
479 Postgraduate Diplomas (41 distinctions)
5,148 Master’s degrees (429 distinctions)
119 Ph.Ds across disciplines.
The University of Lagos Business School will also graduate 140 participants, including 32 distinctions.
Meet UNILAG’s Best of the Best:
Beyond statistics, the convocation spotlight shines on individual stories of grit and brilliance.
Leading the class is Umeozor Chukwuzubelu Benedict, who recorded a perfect CGPA of 5.00 in Business Administration to emerge Overall Best Graduating Student and Best in Humanities.
In the Sciences, Oloton Deborah Isiuwa, with a CGPA of 4.91 in Architecture, clinched the top prize.
At the doctoral level, Abubakar Haruna Egbunu (Civil and Environmental Engineering) won the Overall Best Ph.D Thesis Award, while Zuhumnen Beatrice Paul earned the Best Ph.D Thesis in Humanities.
From ULBS, Adebamowo Oyeyemi Idowu secured the Best Doctoral Thesis (DBA), and Olapoju Bamidele Joshua, with a CGPA of 4.94, emerged Best Master’s Degree Graduate.
Convocation as a Celebration of Ideas, Culture and Service
Prof. Ogunsola described the convocation as “more than a graduation ceremony,” noting that activities blend scholarship, culture and community engagement.
Highlights include:
—A Convocation Lecture on education reform and Nigeria’s demographic future
—Award ceremonies for Emeritus and Distinguished Professors
—Conferment of Honorary Doctorates on Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON, and Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN
—Cultural performances, exhibitions and a convocation play.
The ceremonies will climax with a Thanksgiving Service on January 25.
UNILAG’s 2025: A Year of Impact
The Vice-Chancellor also used the briefing to reflect on UNILAG’s 2025 milestones, revealing that the institution:
Retained its No.1 ranking in Nigeria in the 2026 Times Higher Education Rankings
Attracted over $17.3 million in research grants, largely in health-related fields
Trained over 14,000 students and youths in entrepreneurship and skills development.
Supported 61 startups, processed 58 IP rights, and registered 29 new ventures.
She described 2025 as “a year of growth despite economic headwinds,” reaffirming the University’s commitment to innovation, global relevance and student success.
Curtain Falls, Celebration Begins
The press conference ended with the Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe, thanking the media for their sustained partnership and urging continued support as the University prepares to host thousands of graduands, parents and stakeholders.
As UNILAG marks its 56th convocation, the message from Akoka is clear: excellence is being counted—not just in numbers, but in lives transformed.
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