THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS 54TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

A Faculty of Engineering Perspective

The University of Lagos 54th convocation ceremony is sure to go down in history as one of the most remarkable convocations. That’s because there’s a student graduating with a perfect CGPA of 5.0, a feat last achieved by Taiwo Bankole and Oyindamola Omotuyi, who graduated in 2017. Of the 10,000 graduates convoking this year, only 340 achieved first class honours, with the Faculty of Engineering producing 47. Moreover, the overall best graduating student is from the department of Civil Engineering, marking the second time in three years that our esteemed faculty has produced the BGS.

BEST GRADUATING STUDENTS IN THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

Besides David, a few other students from the faculty have made their mark as the best graduating students of their respective departments. So, in no particular order, here are the best graduating students of each department in the Faculty of Engineering:

David Akanmu – Civil Engineering, and Overall Best Graduating Student

Graduating as the BGS is on the mind of most Engineering freshers. Unfortunately, this dream often fades away right after the very first semester. Actually finishing the program with a 5.0 is a pipe dream, except your name is David Oluwatomiwa Akanmu.

The superstar of the convocation week, David finished as the overall best graduating student of the University, and of course with a perfect CGPA of 5.0. This is only the fourth time it has been done in over 60 years of the school’s existence and the first time in the department of Civil Engineering.

Legend has it that he was so good, he told his friends that he was going to finish as the BGS right from his fresher days. However, David is not just about the grades. He co-founded the Sustainable Development Advocates (SDA) where he won grants and prizes to solve alarming environmental issues in the country. He also served as the Welfare Secretary of his departmental student body.

David is a product of hard work, dedication, and arguably some good scholar genes. After all, his father, James Akanmu, is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Lagos. It’s quite evident that the Professor trained him well.

To help every aspiring best graduating student out there, David will be releasing a book later this year, delving into his incredible journey to academic perfection. Dominating the school system is tougher than meets the eye. Surely, the world isn't ready for Akanmu!

Bukunmi Shonde – Mechanical Engineering

Bukunmi is the first ever female Best Graduating Student from the department of Mechanical Engineering in its over 50-year history. Graduating with an overall CGPA of 4.88/5.00, she also finished as the best female student in the faculty. These achievements, and many more, culminated in her winning over 500,000 naira in prize money. The future certainly is bright for Bukunmi.

Idrees Idrees – Chemical Engineering

The best graduating student of Chemical Engineering graduated with a first class CGPA of 4.83/5.00, amongst six other first class students from the department. Idrees served as the president of the Academic and Resource Team of Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers(NSChE) UNILAG student chapter. He is selfless, warm-hearted, kind, and ever ready to lend a helping hand. Keep shining Boss.

Mosorire Aiyeyemi — Petroleum and Gas Engineering

Mosorire Aiyeyemi served as the president of the Society of Petroleum Engineers(SPE) UNILAG student chapter. Gentle but a scholar, Mosorire graduated with a CGPA of 4.71/5.00 as the best among five other first class scholars from the department. 

Kolade Amusat — Computer Engineering

Kolade will always be remembered for throwing some of the littest parties last session. But while he served as the ULES social secretary, he was also able to finish top of his class with a CGPA of 4.43/5.00.

Onyedikachi Ofordile — Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Onyedikachi, popularly known as Kachi by friends and loved ones, graduated with a first class CGPA of 4.78/5.00. Amongst other achievements, he was the South West Zonal leader of the National Association of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Students (NAMMES). He also won the University of Lagos Award of Academic Excellence, which included a monetary prize of 200,000 Naira.

Inioluwa Ayantayo-Ojo – Surveying and Geoinformatics

In a university where students struggle to get just one internship position, Inioluwa stood out with not one or two, but four internship positions at prestigious Surveying and Geoinformatics firms. He graduated with a CGPA of 4.51/5.00 and is currently a research assistant at the Geospatial and Environmental Research Group.

Temiladeola Oladugba – Electrical and Electronics Engineering

The Best Graduating Student of the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Lagos. Perhaps the toughest department in the entire school! Temi, who finished with a CGPA of 4.89/5.00, was the best of over 100 students in his class, 7 of whom finished with a first class. While in school, he volunteered at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Unilag Society. He is passionate about providing renewable and sustainable energy solutions for the country.

Bernard Adewole – Systems Engineering

Bernard finished as the best of 6 first class graduates of the department with a CGPA of 4.86/5.00. A well-rounded scholar, he was able to balance academics with extracurricular activities. Bernard is a full time software engineer who specialises in mobile development, robotics operating systems, and artificial intelligence. Going forward, he plans to expand his knowledge in the field of robotics.

RECAP OF THE CONVOCATION WEEK

The famous J.F Ade-Ajayi Auditorium of the university was filled to capacity on the first day of the convocation ceremony. Filled with graduates whose excitement and pride was felt and seen from in the crowd.

The morning session began with over 4,500 students from the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Sciences, and Science. Graduate students were awarded degrees; diplomas, certificates and prizes.

Mr. Umar- Farouq Awodun from the department of Economics stole the show in the morning session, bagging several awards and prizes. After all, he graduated as the best student in his faculty with a CGPA of 4.92.

The afternoon session witnessed a total of 104 students graduating with First Class honours, while 2,253 were admitted as graduates into various degrees. In her speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade T. Ogunsola, congratulated the graduating students for their diligence and hard-work in completing their respective programmes. 

The morning session of the convocation ceremony day 2 was reserved for students from the Faculties of Engineering, Law, and Management Sciences. Meanwhile those from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Pharmacy, Clinical Sciences, and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) had their ceremony in the afternoon session, which kicked off by 1:00pm.

Out of the 5,892 who graduated across 7 faculties and institutes, 171 graduated with First Class Honours, with David Oluwatomiwa Akanmu topping the chart. He was awarded 17 prizes while Ibrahim Abiodun Quadri of the Faculty of Management Sciences was also celebrated as the best graduating student in Humanities having achieved a CGPA of 4.94.

Salako Babtunde Aliu with a record of 12 out of 13 distinctions in Medicine and Surgery and Gabriel Stephanie Edewa of Dentistry, took the shine of the afternoon session having bagged 11 prizes.