BY LUKUMAN FATHIA BOLA
Osun State University, UNIOSUN, will award a total of 4,357 degrees, postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees during its 16th Convocation Ceremonies holding from September 18 to 24, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, disclosed this on Saturday at a press conference held at the Multipurpose Hall of the university’s Main Campus, Osogbo.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the graduating students comprise 3,845 first-degree graduates, nine postgraduate diploma holders, 400 Master’s graduates and 103 doctoral graduates.
Among the first-degree graduates are 88 First-Class graduates, 1,509 Second-Class Upper Division graduates, 1,946 Second-Class Lower Division graduates, 220 Third-Class graduates and three Pass Degree graduates.
Adebooye congratulated the graduands, their parents, guardians and sponsors, while commending the university’s teaching and non-teaching staff for their contributions to the students’ achievements.
UNIOSUN to graduate first set of medical doctors
A major highlight of this year’s convocation will be the presentation of UNIOSUN’s first set of medical doctors.
The Vice-Chancellor said 90 pioneer students of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme had successfully completed their studies after meeting the required statutory and professional accreditation requirements.
The graduates were inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on August 12, 2026, and will receive their degrees on Wednesday, September 23.
Adebooye also disclosed that pioneer students in 17 academic programmes admitted during his first year as Vice-Chancellor had completed their programmes and would be graduating during the ceremony.
The programmes include Cyber Security, Information Systems, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Criminology and Security Studies, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, International Relations and Diplomacy, Psychology, Demography and Social Statistics, Cooperative and Rural Development, Public Administration, Library and Information Science, Biotechnology, Business Education, Environmental Education, Adult Education and Social Work.
University highlights infrastructure expansion
Speaking on infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had recorded significant progress in its expansion drive.
Among the completed and commissioned projects are an ultra-modern FIFA-standard Sports Complex, a 3-in-1 Science Laboratory Complex, the Governor Ademola Adeleke Lecture Theatre, a 900-capacity Lecture Theatre, a 36 Academic Office Complex and several auditoriums across the university’s campuses.
Adebooye said foundation laying and full construction had also commenced on the ICT Resource Centre, Computer and Information Technology Laboratories and Academic Office Complex at the Osogbo Campus.
New UNIOSUN Chancellor appointed
The Vice-Chancellor further announced changes to the university’s leadership structure.
He disclosed that Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOVAS Group, had been appointed as the new Chancellor, replacing Apostle Folorunso Alakija, whose two-term tenure ended in March 2026.
He also announced that the university’s Governing Council was reconstituted on August 31, 2026.
The convocation programme began on Friday, September 18, with the Alumni Day Lecture, Orientation Programme and Award of Alumni Scholarships, followed by a Special Jumat Service and the staging of the convocation play, Delilah’s Advocate.
The formal convocation ceremonies will run from Tuesday, September 22, with graduates from different colleges receiving their degrees and awards.
The programme will culminate on Thursday, September 24, with the Convocation Lecture, to be delivered by Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission.
The postgraduate convocation and award of PGD, M.Sc., M.A., MBA and Ph.D. degrees will follow, before the formal closing of the 16th Convocation at 3:00 p.m.
Adebooye said the convocation was an opportunity to reflect on UNIOSUN’s growth, adding that the university remained committed to academic excellence, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, community development and responsible citizenship.
He said the institution was also placing greater emphasis on technology and innovation in response to the changing demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the emerging knowledge economy.
The university said the ceremonies would be streamed virtually through Zoom and live on its YouTube channel, @UniosunTV/Live, for alumni, parents, friends and other stakeholders unable to attend physically.
