The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, will produce 137 First-Class graduates out of 7,641 students receiving first degrees at its 18th convocation ceremony.
Vice Chancellor, Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference heralding the week-long event, describing the outcome as a reflection of the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and integrity.
A breakdown of the results shows that 1,889 graduates earned Second Class Upper Division, while 3,549 finished with Second Class Lower Division, with the majority falling within the middle category.
“Our grading process remains rigorous and transparent. We are not in the business of inflating results, but of producing graduates who are truly qualified,” Kalilu said.
He identified Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering as the overall best graduating student, with an outstanding CGPA of 4.89.
The Vice Chancellor said the convocation, which began on April 16, will end on April 23, 2026, with the award of postgraduate degrees and other honours.
On student financing, Kalilu revealed that about 19,000 students applied for the Federal Government’s loan scheme managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. He noted that over 15,000 applications have been approved, although funds are yet to be disbursed.
He also highlighted growing institutional stability, noting that the university is on course to complete its fourth uninterrupted academic session.
“This is significant because for the first time in about 12 years, the university was able to observe a long vacation. Stability in the academic calendar will ultimately reflect in better academic performance,” he said.
In the area of research and academic development, Kalilu disclosed that the university recently promoted 43 professors across various disciplines and established the Sunday Adewusi Institute of Security and Strategic Studies to strengthen research in security, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The institution is also expanding its academic scope, with plans to upgrade its Department of Architecture into a full-fledged faculty and introduce new programmes, including Medical Biotechnology and Mechatronics.
On infrastructure, the Vice Chancellor said philanthropic interventions have led to the construction of major facilities, including a 1,000-seat lecture theatre, a smart research hub and a bakery.
He added that the university has secured approval-in-principle from the Central Bank of Nigeria to establish a microfinance bank, while its campus radio station is nearing completion and expected to commence operations soon.
Addressing staff welfare, Kalilu stated that over 200 staff members benefitted from local and international training opportunities in the past year, while more than ₦3.1 billion has been paid to settle outstanding emoluments, pensions and third-party deductions.
Beyond academics, he noted that LAUTECH students have continued to excel in competitions, securing second position at an AI and Digital Music Hackathon in Abuja and winning the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Benin City.
Reaffirming the institution’s vision, the Vice Chancellor said LAUTECH remains committed to global competitiveness through academic expansion and innovation-driven programmes, as the convocation ceremony runs through April 23, 2026.
