In commemoration of the 37th/38th combined convocation of the University of Ilorin, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, on Wednesday at a press briefing at the campus, disclosed that no fewer than 450 students would be awarded the first-class honours degree after being satisfied by the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor, while giving the breakdown at the University campus to mark the beginning of the 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony, said, “We shall be convoking 25,234 students during the 37th and 38th Convocation Ceremonies. We have 14,477 students for the 37th Convocation Ceremonies in the 2020/2021 Academic Session who will be convoking. On the other hand, we shall be graduating 10,757 students for the 38th Convocation Ceremonies who are for the 2021/2022 Academic Session.
“In the First Degree/Diploma category of the 37th Convocation Ceremonies, we have 211 First Class, 4,143 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,570 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,742 Third Class and 30 Pass. The 37th Convocation Ceremonies also include 151 MBBS graduands, 73 Nursing graduands, 18 Optometry graduands, 43 Veterinary Medicine graduands, 12 graduands with Distinction, and 27 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy. In summary, the University will graduate 13,020 for First Degrees/Diplomas.
“Furthermore, the total number of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 37th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,457. Out of this figure, there are 75 Postgraduate Diplomas, 976 Masters from various Faculties, 88 MBA/MPA/MILR/MGIS/MPH/MHPMs, and 318 PhDs.
“Students Graduating from the University of Ilorin in the 2021/2022 Academic Session. In the First Degree/Diploma category of the 38th Convocation Ceremonies, we have 239 First Class, 3,406 Second Class (Upper Division), 4,691 Second Class (Lower Division), 961 Third Class, and 21 Pass. The 38th Convocation Ceremonies also include 160 MBBS graduands, 87 Nursing graduands, 15 Optometry graduands, 35 Veterinary Medicine graduands, 26 graduands with Distinction, and 43 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy.
“Thus, we have 9,684 graduates in the First Degrees/Diplomas category. Furthermore, the total number of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 38th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,073. Out of this figure, there are 60 Postgraduate Diplomas, 605 Masters from various Faculties, 211 MBA/MPA/MILR/MGIS/MPH/MHPMs, and 197 PhDs.”
The Vice-Chancellor also said that 8,290 out of 9,684 graduates of the just concluded 2021/2022 academic session will be participating in the next batch of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Management denies exploitation of graduating students
Similarly, the management of the University of Ilorin, on Tuesday, denied exploiting the graduating students who were told to top-up their convocation fee and pay for memorabilia charges.
According to Kunle Akogun, the director of Corporate Affairs of the institution, who made this declaration in a statement titled “Our Position On Memorabilia”, the management has the right to determine what materials are necessary and at the most reasonable rates for its students or graduates.
It partly read, “The attention of the Management of the University of Ilorin has been drawn to a social media news report on a planned protest by a group of former students of the University with respect to some convocation items they are expected to have.
“These are their personal effects and necessary commemoratory mementos for the successful completion of their programmes at the University.”
It would be recalled that the graduates protested the alleged extortion by the institution in the forthcoming combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony billed to be held October 20 and 21, citing short notice and the country’s economic situation, among others.
In a memo dated October 3, 2023, obtained with ref number UIL/UCSC/131, on Monday, the institution introduced memorabilia, which includes branded T-shirts, scrolls, and lapel pins for graduates at the rate of N10,000.
Meanwhile, the management of the institution faulted the action of the protesting graduates, noting that they should have demonstrated a knowledge of the prevailing economic reality in the country and appreciated the excellent disposition of the University management in arriving at this rate, which the university described as its “lowest possible”.
The statement further read, “For the avoidance of doubts and for record purposes, members of the public and our former students should note that this matter is about graduands and indeed, convocation ceremonies; the rates attached to the items are the least and indeed the lowest available in the light of the economic realities of the country; it is not in our character at the University of Ilorin to exploit; the University has always been very considerate in fixing its charges, which remain the cheapest among public universities in the country; our graduands, are worthy in character and learning, and would always live above board with the display of sound knowledge of the prevailing economic situation in the country.
The management also asserted that the “misguided individuals” are only protesting for their primordial and selfish reasons while emphasising that a large number of the graduates have paid for the items and convocation.
However, the University failed to address the alleged convocation top-up of N17,700 by the graduating class.