Lead City University in Ibadan has marked a significant milestone, graduating a total of 3,379 students during its 18th convocation ceremonies, which also coincided with the institution's 20th anniversary celebration.
A Celebration of Excellence and Enterprise
The grand finale, held at the Adeline Hall on the university campus, was themed "The Launch of Enterprise Graduates." The event drew a distinguished gathering of traditional rulers, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kabiru Aderemi Adeyemo, alongside the Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, charged the graduating class of 2025 to become pioneers of innovation, ethical leadership, and nation-building.
Professor Adeyemo revealed the detailed breakdown of the graduating cohort: 2,162 undergraduates and 1,217 postgraduate students. He highlighted the remarkable academic achievement of 290 students who graduated with First Class honours across various faculties, a testament to the university's commitment to academic rigor.
Honorary Awards for National Icons
A highlight of the convocation was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on several eminent Nigerians for their outstanding contributions to national development. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and the pioneer President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu, were both awarded the Doctor of Science in Public Administration.
Other recipients included Olalekan Bello, Chairman of FCSL Asset Management Company, and Olakunle Williams, CEO of Tetracore Energy Group. In his acceptance speech, Oba Ladoja commended the university's management for steering the institution to the forefront of academic excellence.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Olalekan Bello praised Lead City University as a citadel dedicated to moulding character and preparing graduates for global impact. He advised the new graduates to remain principled and resilient in a world driven by rapid innovation.
Equipping Graduates for a Dynamic World
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Adeyemo described the ceremony as the culmination of years of dedication. He emphasized that the world awaiting the graduates is technologically driven and globally competitive, yet filled with opportunities for the prepared.
"Dear graduates, you have a responsibility to create solutions, not just identify problems; to build institutions of integrity; to use technology to transform communities; to become employers rather than job seekers; and to contribute meaningfully to global development," Adeyemo stated.
He assured that the university had equipped its alumni with critical thinking, ethical values, entrepreneurial skills, and digital proficiency to thrive. He urged them to uphold excellence, integrity, discipline, and moral courage in all their endeavours.
University's Commitment to Growth and Standards
Professor Adeyemo also outlined the institution's ongoing expansion and commitment to quality. He announced that new academic programmes have been submitted to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for approval.
Furthermore, he disclosed a substantial investment of over ₦200 million in staff training and capacity building during the last academic year. This initiative enabled 120 academic and 23 administrative staff to attend conferences nationally and internationally, with an additional 300 benefiting from in-house training.
These efforts, according to the VC, have empowered staff with modern skills and ensured Lead City University maintains world-class standards. He added that all 82 academic programmes offered by the university currently enjoy full accreditation, supported by robust digital infrastructure and enhanced campus security.
Among the notable graduates was Mrs. Ajibola Lawal, wife of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, who earned a Master of Philosophy in Business Administration. The Chancellor, Professor Ogunmola, in his remarks, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to uphold values that would distinguish them on the global stage.
