A 69-year-old woman, Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, drew widespread attention at the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC) matriculation ceremony, where she joined over 5,000 new students who took the oath for the 2024/2025 academic session on Friday.
The matriculation oath was administered by the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu.
About 5,000 learners were admitted into 16 academic programmes at the Distance Learning Centre for the session.
Images from the colourful event went viral on Saturday across various social media platforms.
According to a post on the university’s official Facebook page, #UniIbadan, the 69-year-old matriculant is a retired Data Processing Officer. The page also shared over 60 photos from the ceremony.
“Clad in her matriculation gown and cap, Mrs. Akomolafe — a retired Data Processing Officer from R.T. Briscoe Motor Company — wore a bright smile as cameras captured the moment she took her place among the newest members of Nigeria’s premier university.
“Now a pig farmer and former flour distributor, she has enrolled to study Social Work, a course she said would help her manage her non-governmental organisation.
“Born on December 22, 1956, Mrs. Akomolafe first obtained her West African School Certificate in 1976 from Government Secondary School, Creek Road, Port Harcourt.
“Nearly five decades later, she sat again for WASSCE and NECO in 2023 to secure the credits needed to pursue her lifelong dream of earning a degree,” the post read.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter O. Olapegba, encouraged the new students to understand that true success is achieved through intentional decisions.
This was contained in a statement titled “Genuine Success is Achieved Through Deliberate Choices”, published on the university’s official handle.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, Professor Olapegba urged the students to make thoughtful choices about the friendships they build, noting that every interaction and lecture would shape their future.
He reminded the matriculants that they are “solely responsible for the outcomes they will realise in UI, a vibrant community where academic study is harmoniously balanced with social engagement.”
The DVC also warned the students to obey university regulations, emphasising that UI maintains zero tolerance for misconduct or any action capable of tarnishing its reputation.
He concluded that success at the university would not only be reflected in grades but also in “the depth of their insight, the resilience they exhibit, and the positive impact they ultimately make on the world.”
