By Deborah Adeko-jinadu
The University of Lagos has released the official programme of events for its 56th Convocation Ceremonies, scheduled to hold from January 14 to January 25, 2026, as the institution prepares to graduate students across its faculties and institutes.
A statement issued by the University management on December 22, 2025, said the series of activities is designed to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated ceremony. The convocation will feature academic congregations, hooding ceremonies, lectures, exhibitions and social events.
Activities will begin on Tuesday, January 14, with a convocation press conference to be addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS, at 10:00 a.m. at the Senate Chamber, 2nd Floor, Senate House, UNILAG, Akoka. This will be followed by the first convocation rehearsal at 4:00 p.m. at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
Rehearsals for hooding ceremonies in the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), Faculties and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) will hold on Thursday, January 15.
On Friday, January 16, a special convocation Jumat service will take place at 2:15 p.m. at the UNILAG Central Mosque, while the second convocation rehearsal is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
The programme continues on Monday, January 19, with the opening of an exhibition at 10:00 a.m. at the Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall, the University’s Multipurpose Hall. This will be followed by the Convocation Lecture at noon at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium. The lecture, titled “Maximizing Nigeria’s Demographic Dividend Through Urgent Education Reform for Global Competitiveness in the 21st Century,” will be delivered by Mr. Orondaam Otto, Chief Executive Officer of Slum2School, and chaired by Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, CFR, JSC (Rtd.).Later that day, hooding ceremonies for Bachelor’s degree graduates of Arts, Creative Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Life Sciences, Physical and Earth Sciences, Computing and Informatics, Social Sciences, and Communication and Media Studies will hold at 3:00 p.m., with venues to be determined by the respective Deans. The third convocation rehearsal will follow at 5:00 p.m. at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
The convocation proper begins on Tuesday, January 20. The morning session, scheduled for 9:00 a.m., will feature the congregation for the award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes to graduates of the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, and Communication and Media Studies. The afternoon session, by 1:00 p.m., will be for graduates of Arts, Creative Arts, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Life Sciences, Physical and Earth Sciences, as well as Computing and Informatics. Both sessions will hold at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.Hooding ceremonies for Bachelor’s degree graduates of Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Health Professions and the Distance Learning Institute will take place at 3:00 p.m., with venues to be announced by the faculties and institute. An edutainment programme will round off the day at 6:00 p.m. at the UNILAG Sports Centre.
On Wednesday, January 21, the congregation for the award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes will continue. Graduates of Engineering, Law and Management Sciences will be celebrated during the morning session at 9:00 a.m., while graduates of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Health Professions, Pharmacy and the Distance Learning Institute will take part in the afternoon session at 1:00 p.m. Hooding ceremonies for higher degrees of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the University of Lagos Business School will follow at 3:00 p.m., with venues to be determined.
The third day of the convocation, Thursday, January 22, will feature the congregation for the award of Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the University of Lagos Business School at 9:00 a.m. This will be followed at 1:00 p.m. by the award of Ph.D degrees, Best Ph.D awards, the conferment of Emeritus and Distinguished Professors, as well as the presentation of gold medals and honorary doctorate degrees at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
Activities will continue on Friday, January 23, with the Long Service Award ceremony and Luncheon with the Vice-Chancellor at 10:00 a.m. at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall. A convocation play, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi by Ola Rotimi, directed by Mr. Abiodun Abeh, will be staged at 4:00 p.m. at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium.
The 56th Convocation Ceremonies will be brought to a close with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos, Akoka.
University management advised graduating students and invited guests to adhere strictly to the programme of events to ensure a successful convocation.
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