The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has said that graduates of the University of Ibadan are shaped in the crucible of rigorous scholarship, critical thinking, and the rich diversity of the university.
He made this statement while delivering an address on the third day of the 2025 Convocation ceremonies when graduands were admitted into First Degrees in the Faculties of Environmental Design & Management, and Education, including the Distance Learning Centre and Affiliated Institutions.
Professor Adebowale told the graduates that they carry with them the legacies of icons who have graced the soils of the university in the pursuit of their academic goals.
He told them that they were being released into a world that is complex, fast-changing, and often uncertain but acknowledged that UI had prepared them for the life ahead, and that they now carry with them the weight of history and responsibility of being agents of change.
The VC reminded the graduates that the convocation ceremony was the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and contributing to societal development
He advised them to be good ambassadors of the University of Ibadan, noting that UI does not just confer degrees but celebrates the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, resilience and growth.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the university has remained at the forefront of academic excellence, research and national development and has continued to produce leaders in academia, politics, governance, science, medicine, technology, literature and the Arts, adding that UI is proud of its enduring legacy and remain committed to upholding the virtues of integrity, merit and service.
He charged the fresh graduates to be creative, courageous, enterprising, and technologically savvy, also urging them to acquire employability and professional skills in addition to their educational prowess.
In a speech titled: “The Twenty-First Century Graduates: Digging Out the Gold in You,” the Commencement Speaker, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Dr Charles T. Akinsete, a first class alumnus of the University, affirmed that the graduates have endured difficult times and seasons, gone through both personal and collective challenges, fought and chased away good sleep in the ultimate quest for success.
He added that they have battled with hunger and wrestled down thirst, been submerged into the volcanic ashes of life challenges, with the view of shaping and sharpening the value of character and principles of learning, and have emerged bright, beautiful, confident and colourful.
Dr Akinsete warned them that the real tests of life begin after their graduation, and for others, new challenges will arise, noting that with these challenges come varied disappointments and unexpected adversities.
He affirmed that the University of Ibadan has been their training ground in the last few years; adding that though, they may not have liked some of the rough and hard tasks, and perhaps have declared their frustration on many occasions, the fact remains that UI has given them a good start in life to face impending adversities and surmount heights of challenges.
The commencement speaker challenged the graduates to strive for wealth describing five types of wealth that they must aspire towards for the gold in them to manifest as spiritual wealth, physical wealth, time wealth, social wealth and financial wealth.
Dr Akinsete said their graduation from the university authenticates the undisputable fact that they are already made in gold, but through hard work, gratitude, and resilience, they must bring it out.
He charged them to be brave, disciplined, and work hard because the world is waiting earnestly for their manifestation.
Prizes were presented to the best graduating students and other award winners from various faculties.
