The University of Ilorin in the 2019/2020 academic session has produced 180 first-class graduates, with a total of 10,922 to graduate during the 36th convocation ceremonies of the institution.
This was made known by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem during a press briefing to ‘kick start’ the 36th convocation ceremonies of the University of Ilorin on Monday.
Professor Abdulkareem explains that out of the 10,922 graduands, 9,338 are First Degree/Diplomas graduands, while the remaining 1,584 are graduating with higher degrees/Postgraduate diplomas.
He said, “In the first degree/diploma category, we have 180 first class, 2,836-second class upper division, 4,879-second class lower division, 1,110 third class and 14 pass
He added that, “the total number of higher degrees to be awarded at the occasion is 1,584.”
In his address tagged, “Consolidating in Strength and Pride” the VC, enumerated landmark achievements under his watch despite the challenges which confronted the institution with the emergence of COVID-19 and ASUU strike in the 2019/2020 academic session.
“In the 2019/2020 academic session, we were able to execute not less than 26 physical infrastructural projects.”
He further stated that N68m has been expanded to improve ICT services to support the students.
“In the 2019/2020 session, we won many awards of recognition, we were nominated for the prestigious global recognition for the ‘Top 100 Achievements’ Award by the United Kingdom-based international Achievement Forum.
Professor Abdulkareem also hinted that the university currently has over 362 international students studying various courses at language immersion, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
He appealed to the government to lift the embargo on employment in the university to fill the vacuum created by staff retirements and deaths.
The Vice-Chancellor urged all stakeholders of the university to renew their energy, devotion, faith, attitudes and ethos that can rekindle the unique Unilorin spirit for attaining the greater height envisioned.
It would be recalled that a total of 130 students were awarded first class at the 35th convocation of the University of Ilorin, 12,009 students graduated, 2,902 graduates bagged Second Class Upper Division, and 5,661 had Second Class Lower Division, while 1,392 had Third Class.
