By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

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The Ekiti State University (EKSU) has announced that a total of 16,446 graduates will be conferred with diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and higher degrees during its 29th convocation ceremony, scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2025.

The Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Babatola Ayodele, made this known while addressing journalists on Monday ahead of the ceremony.

He stated that 200 out of the 16,446 fresh graduates earned First Class honours.

Professor Ayodele further disclosed that 5,406 students obtained Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 9,076 graduated with Second Class (Lower Division), while 1,295 finished with Third Class.

Additionally, 465 individuals will be awarded Ph.D. degrees, master’s degrees, and postgraduate diplomas.

The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the university will confer honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians: the Senate Leader and lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji; and the Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Industry, Dr Mansur Muhtar.

According to him, these individuals have made significant contributions to both the public and private sectors, particularly in advancing education and national development.

He announced the termination of 13 staff members due to sexual misconduct, abandonment of duty, and other offenses.

He affirmed that under his leadership, the university maintains a strict disciplinary standard for both staff and students, emphasizing his administration’s zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

Professor Ayodele also commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for increasing the university’s monthly subvention from ₦260 million to ₦410 million, which has helped in clearing outstanding salaries and accumulated allowances.

He expressed appreciation for the governor’s unwavering support in providing an enabling environment for the university to achieve its vision and mission.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on other well-meaning stakeholders to support the university so that history will be kind to them in years to come,” he added.