The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, distinguished businessman and investor Mr. Fola Adeola, and Sahara Power Group’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Engr. Kolawole Adesina, will receive honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) degrees during the University of Lagos’ (UNILAG) 55th Convocation ceremony. The event is scheduled to begin on Friday, January 10, 2025, with the honorary degree awards taking place on Thursday of that week.
UNILAG will celebrate the achievements of 16,409 graduating students, including 9,684 first-degree recipients and 6,659 postgraduate awardees. The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, during a world press conference held at the Senate Chamber of the institution.
Prof. Ogunsola highlighted the university’s readiness to host thousands of guests during the three-day celebration of academic excellence and community impact.
Convocation Highlights
• Graduation Statistics:
• 16,409 students will graduate, comprising 9,684 first-degree recipients, 6,659 postgraduate awardees, and 66 graduates from the UNILAG Business School.
• Notable achievers include Damilare Haroun Adebakin and Samuel Akinade Badekale, both from the Faculty of Science, who achieved a perfect CGPA of 5.0.
• Olamide Idris Emida from the Faculty of Management Sciences emerged as the best-graduating student in the humanities with a CGPA of 4.95.
• The best Ph.D. thesis awards will go to Dr. Adetoun Alaba Akitoye (Science) and Dr. Eniola Niniola Ladipo (Humanities).
Honorees
The university will honor three distinguished Nigerians for their exceptional contributions to national development:
1. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (GCON):
• Director-General of the WTO and the first African and woman to lead the global trade body.
• Renowned for her economic reforms and integrity, she has significantly impacted Nigeria’s financial sector.
2. Mr. Fola Adeola (OFR):
• Co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc) and founder of the FATE Foundation, which supports young Nigerian entrepreneurs through training and mentoring.
3. Engr. Kolawole Adesina (MFR, FNSE):
• Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, operating in 42 countries.
• An alumnus of UNILAG and a prominent figure in global energy and infrastructure.
Prof. Ogunsola described the honorees as individuals exemplifying integrity, hard work, and service to the nation, making them fitting recipients of the university’s highest honor.
The convocation ceremony reflects UNILAG’s commitment to celebrating academic and societal excellence while inspiring future generations to achieve greatness.
