The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has empowered more than 14,000 young people and supported 61 startups across different sectors within the university community, marking a significant milestone in youth empowerment and innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this on Tuesday at the university’s 56th convocation ceremonies. She explained that the institution, through several hubs and programmes, has continued to support innovation and skills development among students and youths.
According to her, initiatives such as the Innovation Technology and Management Office (ITMO), the Entrepreneurship Skills Development Centre (ESDC), and the Nigerian Innovation Technology Hub (NITHub) played key roles in achieving the results recorded by the university.
“Over 14,000 both students and youth from the town were trained in 2025 alone; 61 startups supported, with some securing external funding,” Ogunsola said.
She further revealed that “58 IP rights were processed, supported 43 startups, 29 was registered. More than N250 million was awarded for prototype development.”
Ogunsola added that about 10,000 participants were engaged across entrepreneurship and skills programmes, noting that the outcomes exceeded annual targets and reflected expanding national and global influence.
The vice-chancellor also announced that the university attracted grants valued at $17.38 million, equivalent to about N24 billion, within the last one year, largely from health-related research supported by organisations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ASAP, ARUA, and TETFund.
In the area of academic restructuring, Ogunsola disclosed that UNILAG expanded from 12 to 19 faculties following Senate approval to unbundle key disciplines to improve academic focus and governance.
She explained that the university now has five faculties under the College of Medicine and 14 faculties at the Akoka campus. Some of the new faculties include Creative Arts, Basic Clinical Sciences, Health Professions, Architecture, Physical and Earth Sciences, Computing and Informatics, and Communication and Media Studies.
Meanwhile, a total of 3,136 students graduated at the convocation ceremony held on Tuesday. Ogunsola provided a breakdown of results for the Faculty of Education, Communication and Media Studies, and Social Sciences.
She stated that the Faculty of Education recorded 1,735 graduating students, with 42 first-class degrees, 789 second class-upper, 750 second class-lower, 148 third class, and six passes.
For the Faculty of Education Sandwich programme, she said 389 students graduated, including nine first-class, 206 second class-upper, 151 second class-lower, 22 third class, and one pass.
The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies graduated 274 students, with 25 first-class, 205 second class-upper, 41 second class-lower, and three third class degrees.
In the Faculty of Social Sciences, Ogunsola said 738 students graduated, comprising 42 first-class, 376 second class-upper, 266 second class-lower, 46 third class, and eight passes.
She identified David Adebayo, with a CGPA of 4.92, as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Education. Tosin Odunewu, with a CGPA of 4.89, emerged as the joint best graduating student in the Sciences and the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
According to her, the Faculty of Social Sciences produced Baki Adams as its best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.85, while the Sandwich Programme best student was Stella Okeke with a CGPA of 4.91.
The vice-chancellor also announced that the university would confer honorary degrees on two Nigerians. She said Jubril Tinubu would receive the Doctor of Business degree, while Kanu Agabi would be awarded the Doctor of Laws degree.
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