Professor Wahab Egbewole, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, has expressed deep concern over the troubling issue of brain drain within the Nigerian university system, emphasising the significant, including other challenges stemming from inadequate resources and the alarming issue of understaffing that plague these institutions.
During a press conference held to usher in the 37th and 38th convocation ceremonies at the university, which will witness the graduation of 25,234 students, including 450 students achieving First Class honours, Professor Egbewole acknowledged the mass emigration of Nigeria's brightest talents. He said it is disheartening to see some of the nation’s most promising talents leaving the country in substantial numbers.
Egbewole drew inspiration from the philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, particularly his perspectives on life and the joy that comes after suffering. He affirmed the university's unwavering commitment to its vision and progress in the face of these challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university's leadership would be ready to confront and eliminate all barriers of regression that persist within the university and the nation, emphasising his determination to fulfil the university's mission and to uphold the dreams of its founding fathers.
Professor Egbewole noted the exceptional achievements of the past session, saying the university’s reputation for academic prowess and integrity has remained intact, while it has continued to soar in various academic and research domains. “I am proud to announce that our university has achieved remarkable milestones in terms of ranking, both nationally and internationally.
“In a demonstration of our strong determination to become the best in Nigeria, our university has moved up the ranking ladder of leading ivory towers in Nigeria and for the 10th consecutive year, we again topped the list of most sought-after University in the country for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“Also, the Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) disclosed recently that five Faculties and 11 subjects of this University were among the world's best as contained in Times Higher Education Subject Rankings. Four academic staff were also listed among 2% of top scientists from Nigeria ranked among top-notch researchers worldwide.
While acknowledging the challenges faced over the past year, including the repercussions of the fuel subsidy removal, which tested the university's economic resilience and financial prudence, Professor Egbewole emphasized his determination to fulfil the university's mission and uphold the dreams of its founding visionaries.
Sharing the graduation statistics for the upcoming convocation ceremonies, he said 14,477 students are slated to graduate from the 2020/2021 academic session and an additional 10,757 students from the 2021/2022 academic session.
According to him, “In the First Degree/Diploma category of the 37th Convocation Ceremonies, we have 211 First Class, 4,143 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,570 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,742 Third Class and 30 Pass.
“The 37th Convocation Ceremonies also include 151 MBBS graduands, 73 Nursing graduands, 18 Optometry graduands, 43 Veterinary Medicine graduands, and 12 graduands with Distinction and 27 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy.
In summary, the University will be graduating 13,020 for First Degrees/Diplomas Furthermore, the total number of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 37th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,457.
Out of this figure, there are 75 Postgraduate Diplomas, 976 Masters from various Faculties, 88 MBA/MPA/MILR/MGIS/MPH/MHPMs, and 318 PhDs.
“In the 2021/2022 Academic SessionIn the First Degree/Diploma category of the 38th Convocation Ceremonies, we have 239 First Class, 3,406 Second Class (Upper Division), 4,691 Second Class (Lower Division), 961 Third Class and 21 Pass.
The 38th Convocation Ceremonies also include 160 MBBS graduands, 87 Nursing graduands, 15 Optometry graduands, 35 Veterinary Medicine graduands, and 26 graduands with Distinction and 43 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy.
Thus, we have 9,684 graduands in the First Degrees/Diplomas category. Furthermore, the total number of Higher Degrees to be awarded at the 38th Convocation Ceremonies is 1,073. Out of this figure, there are 60 Postgraduate Diplomas, 605 Masters from various Faculties, 211 MBA/MPA/MILR/MGIS/MPH/MHPMs, and 197 PhDs. I want to use this medium to appreciate the personnel of the Student Affairs unit who within a few days have assiduously worked with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to mobilise 8,290 of the 9,684 graduands of the just concluded 2021/2022 academic session for the next batch of service.
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