Excitement and Elegance Fill the Air as UI Holds 2025 Convocation

Favour Bello 

Photo credit: Google 

It was another sunny day in Harmattan, only this time, it was more than just another random day at the University of Ibadan. For the first time in the semester, students were unbothered about lectures and tests and only spoke about the 77th convocation ceremony held from the 11th to the 15th of November 2025. 

On the first day, all roads led to the International Conference Center (ICC) close to the University's second gate. Graduands were seen in their flowing blue gowns and high caps. You could spot a graduate with their smiley faces and exquisite dresses. Even under the sun, the males wore suits, and the females were not without makeup, luxurious wigs, and braids, telling us their days at UI were finally over. Parents and guardians, on the other hand, were as excited as their graduands. Agbadas with Fila and Gelé took over the day. It was as though all parents had a chat group to pick an outfit for the day. 

Everything seemed perfect until it was time to proceed into the hall. Graduands and their families stood in a queue ready to go in until they were told each graduand was only allowed 2 guests with them, so extra family members had to step aside. Inside that hall, the graduands were met with breathtaking decorations screaming the 77th convocation ceremony with the Ayrra Star and Rema's "Who's That Girl" music playing in the background. 

The hall lights glowed softly revealing neatly arranged chairs for the graduands and their families. Once the music stopped, the procession began as academic staff members walked gracefully to the front seats. The audience sang both the national and school anthems. The choristers from the university's Music Department also rendered a beautiful song and their voices added more excitement to the day. 

When the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, finally came up to deliver his speech, ears listened attentively. He welcomed parents, staff, and most especially, the graduands who owned the day. The VC reiterated the old saying that "If it's from UI, it must be of good quality." He recalled how this set had had their matriculation ceremony virtually in 2021 because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The atmosphere became nostalgic. "However, today, our graduands are convoking physically," he added as the hall gave a round of applause. 
In the crowd, graduands were glued to their screens and a few were chatting with old friends. Parents beamed from ear to ear with smiles.

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for came. It was time to get a handshake from the VC. Graduands in their blue gowns and caps queued in line to shake the Vice Chancellor. 

"I'm never going to wash off my hands," One graduate who couldn't contain his excitement declared. Every parent tried to capture this handshake moment for their sons and daughters.

By past 1PM, the outside was filled with undergraduates under various tents with big coolers of food and drinks. Photographers adjusted their cameras, taking beautiful pictures of parents with their graduates. 

In an interview with Ronke Salami, a first-class graduate from Animal Science, 

"I'm grateful that I have completed this phase. It wasn't easy but God saw me through UI and I'm happy I finished with good grades." 

People cared little about the scorching sun but the celebration of the moment. Table and chairs under the tents were now filled with students, graduands, and parents eating and dining with one another. The 2025 convocation ceremony was more than just an event. It was a memorable day set aside to celebrate the products of the University of Ibadan.