Unilag empowered over 14,000 youth, 61 startups in 2025

…graduates 3,136 students in its 56th convocation ceremonies

In 2025, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recorded significant milestones in youth empowerment and innovation, reaching more than 14,000 young people and nurturing 61 startups across various sectors within the university community.

Folasade Ogunsola, vice-chancellor of UNILAG made this known on Tuesday, in her address at the university’s 56th convocation ceremonies when she revealed that the institution through its various hubs and programmes, such as the Innovation Technology and Management Office (ITMO), Entrepreneurship Skills Development Centre (ESDC), and Nigerian Innovation Technology Hub (NITHub), has supported innovation.

“Over 14,000 both students and youth from the town were trained in 2025 alone; 61 startups supported, with some securing external funding.

“58 IP rights processed, supported 43 startups, 29 was registered. More than N250 million was awarded for prototype development,” she said.

Besides, Ogunsola disclosed that about 10,000 participants engaged across entrepreneurship and skills programmes. These initiatives, she explained, significantly exceeded annual targets and reflect the institution’s growing national and global impact.

The vice-chancellor also revealed that the university in the last one year attracted grants worth $17,38 million (N24 billion). She emphasised that of these a large portion came from health-related research such as Bill and Melinda Gate, Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), National Institute for Health, Africa Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and TETFund.

The university has also expanded from 12 to 19 faculties, following Senate approval to unbundle key disciplines, improving academic focus and governance.

There are 5 faculties from the College of Medicine and 14 at Akoka. Some of the new faculties are; Faculties of Creative Arts, Basic Clinical Sciences, Health Professions, Architecture, Physical and Earth Sciences.

Others include Physics, Electronics and Environmental Standards, Fisheries & Aquaculture and Zoology, Computing and Informatics, Communication and Media Studies, among others.

Meanwhile, the university graduates a total of 3,136 students on Tuesday, and the breakdown of results for Faculty of Education, Computing & Media Studies and Social Sciences is as follows faculty of Education had a total of 1735 students,  with 42 bagging first-class, 789 second class-upper, 750 second class-lower and 148 third class, while six had pass. students

The faculty of Education Sandwich had 389, with nine first-class, 206 got second class-upper, 151 second class-lower and 22 got third class, while one student graduated with a pass.

The faculty of Communication and Media Studies has a total of 274 graduating students, with 25 first-class, 205 second class-upper, 41second class-lower and three third class. The faculty of Social Sciences had 738 students with 42 first-class, 376 second class-upper, 266 second class-lower, 46 third class and eight passes.

The best graduating student in the Faculty of Education is David Adebayo with a CGPA of 4.92, who is also the joint best graduating student in the Sciences and Faculty of Communication & Media Studies Tosin Odunewu with a CGPA of 4.89.

The Faculty of Social Science has Baki Adams with a CGPA of 4,85 and Sandwich Programme, Stella Okeke with a CGPA of 4.91.

The university will also confer honorary degrees on two outstanding Nigerians whose lives exemplify hard work, and service. Jubril TINUBU, will receive the Doctor of Business degree and Kanu AGABI, , former attorney-general and minister of justice of the federation and former minister of Solid Minerals Development, will be awarded the Doctor of Laws degree.

Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years.

He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team.

Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.

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