The Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has set a historic record by graduating 18 all-female first-class students during the university’s 55th convocation ceremony.
The Head of the Mass Communication Department, Sunday Oloruntola, attributed this outstanding achievement to the hard work of the students and the dedication of the lecturers. Speaking to BusinessDay on the milestone, Oloruntola explained that the success was not premeditated but rather a result of the students’ commitment and the faculty’s consistent efforts.
“It wasn’t pre-planned. I believe these students were individually determined, working hard from the start of their academic journey to achieve first-class honors. Some of them were intentional from day one and didn’t allow distractions,” he said.
Oloruntola further credited the department’s lecturers, who consistently provided assignments and challenges to encourage active learning. “Our lecturers are dedicated. They push the students, ensuring they do things independently to build their competence,” he added.
He also acknowledged the role of modern technology, particularly the availability of learning resources on the internet. “The students now have access to study materials online, including AI tools. Except for lazy students, these resources provide a platform for anyone to excel,” Oloruntola noted.
For the first time in the history of UNILAG and its Faculty of Social Sciences, the department achieved this extraordinary feat of producing 18 all-female first-class graduates during the 2023/2024 academic session. The remarkable achievement was celebrated during the undergraduate convocation ceremony held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
The 18 trailblazing graduates include Peace Onuoha, Frances Odogu, Opeyemi Kareem, Eunice Obidi, Feranmi Abiola, Funmilola Onabanjo, Ahuruele Akani, Oyindamola Arikawe, Ifedayo Ayilaran, Demiladeogo Bankole, Joy Imanah, Olaide Bankole, Eniola Daramola, Chelsea Jegede, Temiloluwa Igbinlade, Ifeoma Iwelunmor, Mofesola Olanrewaju, and Faith Enang.
In total, the University of Lagos conferred degrees and diplomas on 9,684 students during the convocation. Among them, 561 students graduated with first-class honors or distinctions, 3,916 with second-class upper (2:1) degrees, 3,763 with second-class lower (2:2) degrees, 1,143 with third-class degrees, 78 with pass degrees, and 223 with unclassified degrees.
Two students from the Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Akinade, emerged as the overall best-graduating students with a perfect CGPA of 5.0.
In the humanities, Olamide Emida, from the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, was recognized as the best-graduating student with a CGPA of 4.95.
The Faculty of Management Sciences produced the highest number of first-class graduates, with 125 out of 989 students, followed by the Faculty of Science with 121 out of 1,166 students, and the Faculty of Engineering with 61 out of 705 students.
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasola Ogunsola, highlighted some of the university’s significant achievements during the 2024 academic year. Among these was the establishment of the Med-Africa Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Laboratory, the first of its kind in a West African university.
“The GMP Laboratory, located within the Faculty of Pharmacy, was officially opened on May 26, 2024. This project, valued at $450,000, was funded by the Med-Africa Foundation, New Jersey, USA. It is based on a grant secured by Associate Professor Margaret Ilomuanya from the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, in collaboration with the Centre for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA, to develop freeze-dried vaginal inserts for HIV prevention,” she stated.
The GMP Laboratory is only the third of its kind on the African continent housed within an academic institution, marking another significant milestone for the University of Lagos.
