The University of Ibadan on Wednesday, March 11, held its 2025/2026 academic session matriculation ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The ceremony, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, marked another milestone as newly admitted students were formally inducted as bonafide members of the university community.
The event was attended by several university dignitaries including the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Peter Olapegba; the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Rasheed Olaniyi; and the matriculation lecturer, Oluasola Ayoola, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN). Other principal officers of the university were also present at the ceremony, while the Vice Chancellor, Kayode O. Adebowale, participated virtually.
In his matriculation address delivered virtually, Professor Adebowale welcomed the new students to the institution and encouraged them to remain diligent, disciplined, and relentless in their pursuit of knowledge. He described the University of Ibadan as an intellectual home of giants, noting that many distinguished men and women had passed through the corridors of the institution. According to him, success can only be achieved through intentional and strategic decisions.
“Genuine success is achieved through deliberate choices,” he stated.
For the 2025/2026 academic session, the university admitted a total of 4,430 students. Out of this number, 4,171 students were admitted through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while 259 students gained admission through Direct Entry. The Vice Chancellor disclosed that 45,991 candidates applied to the university through UTME, while 925 candidates applied through Direct Entry. Out of the UTME applicants, 13,618 met the institution’s benchmark, which is a cut off mark of 200.
He further explained that 7,046 of the candidates scored 50 percent and above in the university’s screening process. However, only about 9.4 percent of the total applicants eventually secured admission. Also, it was revealed that the oldest newly admitted student is Dr. Bolaji Jayeoba, who gained admission at the age of 71.
The matriculation ceremony officially signifies the students’ acceptance into the university and their commitment to abide by the institution’s rules and academic standards.
