The University of Ibadan on Monday marked its 77th Foundation Day with a colourful celebration that drew some of the nation’s most prominent political leaders, traditional rulers, and distinguished academics.
Among the dignitaries present were the Sultan of Sokoto and Chancellor of the University, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade; and Chairman of the UI Governing Council, Chief Bisi Akande.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of degrees including an impressive 487 Doctor of Philosophy awards.
In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale eulogized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s contribution to the institution and prayed for continued strength and wisdom for the President as he steers the nation toward progress.
Professor Adebowale also acknowledged Governor Makinde’s support for the institution and paid tribute to the Sultan and other royal fathers, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Ooni of Ife whom he described as reliable pillars of support. He further praised the Governing Council under Chief Bisi Akande, noting the Pro-Chancellor’s remarkable gesture of donating all allowances due to him into a scholarship endowment for the best science undergraduates.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the contributions of management staff, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and all university employees, whose dedication, he said, has helped maintain UI’s reputation as Nigeria’s premier university.
Addressing the graduands, he urged them to embrace ethical leadership, integrity, and humane conduct as they step into their various professions.
“You stand today as philosophers, thinkers, and solution providers. The society awaits you to solve the complex challenges it confronts daily,” he declared, adding that the value of a UI doctorate rests as much on character as on academic achievement.
Professor Adebowale announced the establishment of the Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Computing, and a Department of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering. He revealed that 57 programmes were recently submitted for accreditation, with 54 earning full approval, while new undergraduate programmes, including Social Work, Educational Technology, Computer Science Education, and Biomedical Engineering—have been introduced to meet global standards.
He also celebrated UI’s consistent rise in global rankings, noting that the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Rankings both ranked the institution as the number one university in Nigeria. Despite these achievements, he drew attention to pressing challenges such as soaring electricity bills, inadequate internet connectivity, and aging infrastructure, calling for targeted federal intervention to address the issues.
Delivering the Visitor’s Address on behalf of President Tinubu, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, praised UI’s enduring excellence and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening higher education in Nigeria.
The President emphasized his administration’s efforts to reduce disputes with university unions and sustain investment in tertiary education, urging academics and stakeholders to collaborate in developing realistic, long-term funding models.
“We place a high premium on quality education and remain committed to equipping our youth with the knowledge and competence needed to shape the future,” the President said.
In his own remarks, the Chancellor, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended the graduands for their perseverance and encouraged them to carry forward the torch of knowledge. He also applauded Chief Akande for his scholarship initiative and urged stakeholders to continue supporting UI’s mission of academic excellence.
Chief Bisi Akande, in a candid address, emphasized the need for reforms in university governance. He lamented the bureaucratic bottlenecks imposed by excessive centralization, which he said hinder effective administration and impede universities’ ability to attract and retain top talent. He called for a reclassification of universities to allow them function with the autonomy intended by their founding laws.
This year’s convocation recorded significant academic achievements, with the university awarding 5,900 Bachelor’s degrees, 2,690 academic Master’s degrees, 273 professional Master’s degrees, 124 Postgraduate Diplomas, 73 PAULESI Master’s degrees, and 487 PhDs. The Faculty of Education produced the highest number of doctoral graduates, with 137 PhDs.
