The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on Wednesday said it will graduate 16,409 students, with two of them having a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 at its 55th convocation ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG Prof. Folasade Ogunsola revealed this at a media briefing, adding that the convocation would start on Friday, January 10, with a Jumaat service and end on Sunday, January 17, 2025, with a thanksgiving service.

According to Ogunsola, the two students with a perfect 5.0 CGPA are from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science.

“The overall best-graduating student position is shared by two students Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale, from the Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology & Genetics with a perfect score of 5.0,” she said

“We will be graduating 16,409 students of these, 9,684 students will receive first degrees and diplomas while 6,659 will be awarded postgraduate degrees while 66 will graduate from the UNILAG Business School.”

Ogunsola stated that a convocation lecture titled ‘Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation,’ would be delivered by CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Dr Tayo Aduloju, at the J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium on Monday, January 13, starting from noon.

She said that the former governor of Lagos State Raji Fashola will chair the event, which aims to discuss the funding of tertiary education and its role in driving economic and social progress.

“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 said.

“We are privileged to have as Chairman, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, CON, SAN, former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, whose clarity in addressing issues was pivotal to innovative reforms and development of our country,” she stated.

According to her, three eminent Nigerians, including the co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, Fola Adeola; the Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Engr. Kolawole Adesina, and the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would be conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science.

Ogunsola added that the convocation week will feature several key events, including the groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies building on January 13, a project donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun in celebration of his 80th birthday.

“Award ceremonies for degrees, diplomas, and certificates will take place from January 14 to January 16 across various faculties, with postgraduate degrees and diplomas being conferred on January 16,” she stated.

She said that the week will also include a convocation play, Langbodo by Wale Ogunyemi, on January 17 and conclude with a thanksgiving service on January 19.