One of the highlights of the 55th Convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was the celebration of two exceptional students, Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale, who graduated with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.0.
Campus 360 reports that both students hail from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics in the Faculty of Science.
The Convocation, held on Monday graduated a total of Sixteen thousand four hundred and nine (16,409) students from the university.
The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, at a media brief on January 8 highlighted the significance of this year’s convocation, which will run from Friday, January 10, to Sunday, January 19, 2025.
She revealed that the university would confer degrees and diplomas on 16,409 students, including 9,684 undergraduates and 6,659 postgraduates, while 66 students will graduate from the UNILAG Business School.
As Adebakin and Badekale took center stage, applause echoed across the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, a testament to the power of determination and academic rigour, a Monday statement by the varsity’s communication unit revealed on its website.
NESG boss convocation lecture
It added that the convocation ceremonies were further enriched by the keynote lecture delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr Oluwatayo Aduloju.
In his lecture titled “Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation,” Aduloju underscored the pivotal role universities play in shaping national progress, creating wealth, and enhancing global competitiveness.
Reflecting on the “spirit of convocation,” he described universities as institutions uniquely equipped to envision and chart the future, emphasising their evaluative and prescriptive roles in societal transformation.
“They are the catalysts for driving change, fostering reflection, and inspiring innovation, serving as the bridge between intellectual capital and societal advancement,” Aduloju said.
His comparative analysis of Nigeria and Indonesia’s development trajectories highlighted actionable pathways for Nigerian universities to unlock their full potential.
The VC, in her welcome address, celebrated the achievements of the graduates and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
“Our societal contract demands that we produce manpower fit for purpose, generate knowledge to solve pressing issues, and develop technology to shape the future,” she stated, commending Aduloju’s multidisciplinary approach to solving complex socio-economic challenges.
Chairing the event, former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, described the convocation lecture as timely and profound.
“Universities must realign their objectives to foster synergy between academia, industry, and government. This alignment will drive the innovation and progress our nation desperately needs,” he noted.
