The University of Ilorin, for five consecutive years, has been ranked has Most Preferred University, according to Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole SAN, revealed this Thursday during the press briefing of the 39th Convocation speech titled “Coping With Change”.
FELLOW PRESS reports that University of Ilorin ranks first as the Most Preferred University in Nigeria by JAMB for years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, owing to its academic excellence, research pursuits, smooth calendar and diverse opportunities available to students and staff alike.
Prof. Egbewole disclosed the University produces for the 39th convocation 256 First class, 3842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1299 Third Class and 62 Pass.
The Vice Chancellor further added, “the 39th Convocation Ceremonies also include 124 MB;BS graduands, 64 Nursing graduands, 35 Optometry graduands, 30 Veterinary Medicine graduands with Pass in Pharmacy, 1 distinction and 32 Pass in Physiotherapy.
“We have a total of 16 Diploma degree holders. Furthermore, the total numbers of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 39th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,875 out of this figure, there are 92 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,280 Masters from various Faculties, 179 Professional Masters, 1 MPhil and 323 Ph.Ds.”
Responding questions from journalists on how the university was able to raise the banner to achieve greater numbers of First Class honours than previous year, the VC said there was no other secret than diligence and hard work on the part of both the lecturers and the students.
“The improved numbers of First Class holders are owned to greater studying on the part of students and the lecturers doing their job as at when due. No other secrets”, Prof. Egbewole said.
ROYAL NEWS reports that University of Ilorin had 450 First Class graduands in the two academic sessions of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, and both had combined convocation last year, with 211 and 239 bagged first class degrees respectively in the two sessions, compared to 256 recorded this year.
Speaking more on the University achievements, the VC said UNILORIN also bagged 6th position according to The Times Higher Education in its ranking for 2025, while SciVal Scopus ranked the varsity 3rd.
“Seven of our academic staff were among the Standard/Elsevier top two percent leading scientists in the world; and all efforts at repositioning the ranking of our university are at the top,” Vice Chancellor said.