UI remains committed to excellence, innovation despite challenges – VC

The University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, says it remains committed to sustaining academic excellence and innovation despite its challenges of inadequate funding, infrastructural decay, and weak industry linkages.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said this on Wednesday during the second day of the university’s 2025 convocation ceremonies in Ibadan.

Adebowale said the institution has adopted cost-cutting measures, digitisation, and public-private partnerships to strengthen learning, research, and inclusivity.

According to him, UI retained its ranking as Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education ratings for 2026, while its scholars and alumni received several national and international recognitions.

The VC congratulated the graduands for their resilience, urging them to be problem-solvers, nation builders, and worthy ambassadors of the institution in their future endeavours.

“The future is not just a destination you are headed to. It is a reality that you are destined to create,” Adebowale said.

He also commended parents and guardians for their sacrifices despite the economic hardship, describing graduation as the beginning of greater service and responsibility to society.

The Guest Lecturer, Mrs Bola Olajomi-Otubu, Managing Director, Beige Spaces Limited, urged the graduands to build strong foundations of integrity, faith, and purpose rather than chase instant or superficial success.

Olajomi-Otubu, a proud alumna, advised the graduands to value relationships, community, and diversity, saying that greatness is earned through patience, perseverance, and hard work, not through social media trends.

“Remember that resilience and mental toughness are essential to success,” she said.

The Valedictorian, Dr Favour Ajibade, who delivered his speech virtually, having started his doctoral programme in the US, appreciated the university and faculties that imparted knowledge to them.

He also underscored parental support toward achieving their goals.

Ajibade urged other graduates to think bigger and develop a global mindset that would translate into impactful living, thereby solving the nation’s problems and those of the world at large.

“Your success in life is not about finding a perfect path but making the most of what you have; that is what UI gave us.

“Let us not be the generation that points to challenges but one that makes the difference,” Ajibade said.

The best graduating student, Miss Miracle Sadiq, who graduated with First Class Honours in Economics, encouraged other students to give their best always, not stopping until they achieve excellence.

“The journey so far has been by God’s grace, resilience, and diligence to be the very best,” Sadiq said.

Our correspondent reports that the event had graduands from Agriculture, Social Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Technology, Law, Economics and Management Science, and Renewable Natural Resources.