Two students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, have emerged the overall 2023/2024 best graduating students with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA.
The two students, Damilare Haroun Adebakin and Samuel Akinade Badekale are from the Faculty of Science and from the same department, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics.
Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, broke the news of the academic feat at the 55th pre-convocation briefing on Wednesday for the 2022/2023 academic session.
She disclosed that the university would graduate 16,409 students and 9,684 are for first degrees and diplomas from January 14 and 15th.
According to her, UNILAG produced 561 First Class with the Faculty of Management Sciences producing the highest of 125 First Class.
Others are Faculties of Arts 24, Education 38, Engineering 61, Environmental Sciences 21, Science 121, Social Sciences 56, Law 3, Distance Learning 18.
Breakdowns of Distinction are Basic Medical Science 17, Pharmacy 38, Clinical Sciences14 and Dental Science 1.
Ogunsola also revealed that the overall best graduate in
Humanities went to Olamide Idris Emida with 4.95 CGPA from the Department of Accounting while 213 would be conferred with PhD as well as 6,659 for postgraduate degrees.
Ogunsola further disclosed that the overall best Ph.D thesis award went to Adetoun Alaba Akitoye, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D thesis in Humanities is Eniola Niniola Ladipo.
The VC defended the high number of First Class produced by the university, adding, the students with 561 First Class deserves it. It was obtained on merit. It is not that we dashed them marks.”
She revealed that UNILAG would confer honorary degrees on three prominent Nigerians, who distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development.
Said she: “This year we have the privilege of honouring two men and a woman, who have shown integrity, hard work and service to the nation.”
She revealed that the three awardees are Mr. Fola Adeola, a businessman and Co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB Plc), Mr. Kolawole Adesina,the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group, an alumnus of UNILAG and chairs of several boards, including Ikeja Electric Distribution Company.
Ogunsola said his company has awarded prizes to Students in various fields and recognised the work of Faculty members through the Making a Difference $12000 award yearly, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), a distinguished economist, renowned for her integrity and significant economic reforms in Nigeria’s financial sector and her role in the Parish Club negotiations, which resulted in the cancellation of Nigeria’s $30 billion debt.
The VC said the convocation Lecture titled, “Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation” will be delivered by Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) at J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium on Monday, January 13, 2025.
“We are looking forward to a very thought-provoking lecture that will add to the discussion on funding of tertiary education and positioning them as drivers of economic and social development.”
Ogunsola explained that the Chairman of the lecture will be the former Governor of Lagos State, and also former Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola whose clarity in addressing issues was pivotal to innovative reforms and development of the country.
