The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is preparing for a landmark academic celebration as it concludes arrangements to graduate 16,506 students during its 56th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to hold between January 16 and January 25, 2026.

The disclosure was made by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who described the forthcoming event as a proud moment that reflects years of hard work by students and the university’s sustained commitment to quality education.

Number of Graduands Across Programmes

Details released by the university show that the graduating population cuts across several academic levels and professional tracks.

• 10,584 candidates will receive undergraduate degrees and diploma certificates
  
• 5,922 students are to be awarded postgraduate qualifications, including Master’s and Doctorate degrees
  
• An additional 140 participants will graduate from the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS)
  

Among the undergraduate cohort, 709 students distinguished themselves by graduating with First Class honours, a testament to academic discipline and consistency.

Outstanding Academic Performers Recognised

UNILAG also announced the best-performing students for the academic session.

• Chukwuzubelu Benedict Umeozo, a student of Business Administration, finished as the Overall Best Graduating Student with a flawless CGPA of 5.0
  
• In the science-related disciplines, Deborah Isiuwa Oloton from the Department of Architecture emerged as the top graduate, recording a CGPA of 4.91
  

The university praised both graduates for setting a high benchmark for excellence.

Convocation Lecture and Honorary Awards

As part of the convocation programme, a public lecture will be delivered under the theme:

“Harnessing Nigeria’s Population Advantage Through Urgent Educational Transformation for Global Relevance in the 21st Century”

The lecture will be presented by Mr. Orondaam Otto, founder of Slum2School Africa, an organisation known for promoting access to education for underserved communities.

The university will also confer honorary doctorate degrees on two prominent Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to national development:

• Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu
  
• Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), fmr Attorney-General of the Federation
  

UNILAG Maintains Strong Global Standing

Beyond graduation figures, UNILAG continues to consolidate its status on the global academic stage. The university recently retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, jointly occupying the top spot with the University of Ibadan, according to the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings.

It also emerged winner of the Most International African Institution (West Africa) Award for 2025, highlighting its expanding international collaborations and visibility.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

With thousands of graduates set to step into the next phase of their careers, UNILAG’s 56th Convocation represents more than a ceremonial exercise. It marks the end of one journey, the beginning of another, and the university’s enduring role in shaping skilled, globally competitive graduates.