Former UI Vice Chancellor Reacts as 58 Law Students Achieve First-Class Honors
In a remarkable academic achievement, fifty-eight law students at the University of Ibadan have graduated with first-class honors following the Senate's approval of the 2024/2025 academic results. This exceptional outcome, representing approximately 40 percent of the 146 graduates from the Faculty of Law, has sparked widespread discussion across academic circles and social media platforms.
Senate Approval and Public Confirmation
The results were formally approved during a Senate meeting held on February 16, 2026. Former Vice Chancellor Idowu Olayinka, who attended the crucial meeting, publicly confirmed the validation of these outstanding academic performances. "It has been factually reported that 58 out of the 146 students who graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan at the end of the 2024/2025 academic session earned a First Class," Olayinka stated. "Happily, I attended the Senate meeting that approved the results yesterday, 16th February 2026."
Defending Academic Excellence
Addressing the mixed reactions that emerged online, particularly criticism questioning the high proportion of first-class degrees, Olayinka defended the university's academic processes. He attributed this exceptional performance to the institution's stringent admission standards and rigorous academic environment. The former vice chancellor emphasized that criticism often stems from limited understanding of comprehensive academic evaluation systems.
Olayinka provided detailed context about the admission criteria, revealing that students admitted into the Faculty of Law typically demonstrate exceptional academic potential from their entry point. "In reality, all the students admitted into the Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan have potential to eventually graduate in First Class insofar as nearly all of them scored a weighted average mark of almost 70% in the UTME and Post UTME when they were offered admission," he explained.
Consistent High Standards
The former vice chancellor noted that this trend of academic excellence has been consistent for at least two decades. He disclosed specific merit cut-off marks for various programs, with law standing at 70.875 percent for the 2025/2026 intake, compared to 78.875 percent for medicine and surgery and 71.375 percent for nursing science. These figures demonstrate the competitive nature of admissions at Nigeria's premier university.
Olayinka praised the University Senate for maintaining uncompromising academic standards throughout students' educational journeys. He argued that it would be more concerning if students with strong academic backgrounds concluded their studies with weaker degrees, suggesting that the current outcome reflects proper academic nurturing rather than grade inflation.
Performance Beyond University Walls
An important aspect of Olayinka's defense focused on the continued success of UI law graduates beyond their university education. "What is important is that the UI Law Graduates are fit for purpose. They have always excelled in their Final Bar Examinations at the Nigerian Law School," he emphasized, highlighting the practical relevance and quality of the university's legal education.
The former vice chancellor commended the dean and staff of the Faculty of Law for their dedication to nurturing academic excellence. He extended congratulations to all final-year students whose results were approved, including special mention of the first set of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates from the institution.
Institutional Pride and Global Recognition
Olayinka concluded with a message about institutional pride, stating that the University of Ibadan's reputation has been earned through consistent academic excellence and must be sustained through continued commitment to high standards. This defense comes at a time when UI has recently reclaimed its position as Nigeria's highest-ranked university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, placing in the 801 to 1000 global band and overtaking several long-standing competitors across the country.
The achievement of 58 first-class law graduates represents not just individual student success but also reflects the broader academic environment and institutional commitment to excellence that has characterized the University of Ibadan for decades. As debates about academic standards continue, this case highlights the intersection of rigorous admission processes, quality teaching, and student dedication in producing exceptional educational outcomes.
