The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and postgraduate degrees to 12, 217 graduating students at the 52nd convocation for 2019/2020 academic session.
Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was flanked by the university management team, disclosed this at the pre-convocation briefing, said 238 graduating students obtained First Class honours in different courses.
According to him, the Faculty of Engineering lead with 63 First Class graduates, while Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic Medicals Sciences and Clinical, 36 students graduated with Distinctions.
He revealed that the overall best graduating student in the first-degree category for 2019/2020 is Elizabeth Osereme Ekeoseye, of Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology (Environmental Toxicology and Conservation Option) with 4.95 CGPA.
The VC also revealed that the best graduating student in Humanities is Oluwaseyi Gideon Atanranshe of Faculty of Management Sciences, Department of Accounting with 4.92 CGPA.
Ogundipe said in the postgraduate category, the overall best Ph.D award went to Joy Chinyere Umudu, who obtained her Ph.D in Mathematics (Pure).
He further disclosed that the best Ph.D Thesis in Humanities award went to Osa Ibraham Ehiorobo, who obtained his Ph.D in Management.
The VC, who is presiding over his last convocation ceremony, said 68-year-old from Faculty of Education, Department of Music, Ph.D, thus becoming the oldest graduate at the 2019/2020 convocation event.
‘’A total of 12,217 graduating students will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates; out of this number, 7,799 will receive first degrees or diplomas while 4,418 will receive postgraduate degrees.’’
Giving a further breakdown, he said 2,454 students graduated in the Second-Class Upper Division, while 3,459 obtained Second-Class Lower Division, adding ‘’we also have 1,183 students graduating in the Third-Class Division.’’
On higher degrees, Ogundipe said out of 4,418 postgraduate students, 145 students would be awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in various disciplines, while 3,863 obtained masters degrees in the various fields and 410 will receive postgraduate diplomas.
Ogundipe used the opportunity to highlight the goals of this administration as it relates to rebranding and advancing UNILAG, stating
‘’UNILAG has grown, and the results are visible for all to see. We do not take pride in our strength, rather, we return all glory to God from who cometh all good things.’’
He explained that the university has hosted several national and international conferences, colloquia, and workshops aimed at raising awareness about topical issues, ideas and disseminate knowledge.
‘’When this administration assumed office in 2017, the University’s international ranking was not favourable, but in the last four years we have moved up considerably on the ranking ladder. We moved from not being recognised by the THE Ranking to the 501 – 600 bracket in Universities Global ranking. This is indeed a reflection of the hard work and tenacity of our academic and non-academic staff,’’ the VC stated.