UNILORIN concludes 41st Convocation Ceremonies with prayers in Mosque, Church
By Isaac Lewu and Muizdeen Adewole
The week-long 41st Convocation ceremonies of the University of Ilorin were brought to an end last Friday, October 23 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 with a special Jumaat service at the University Central Mosque and interdenominational Christian service at Saint Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy, respectively.
In his message at the Jumaat service, the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin Central Mosque, Prof. Nasir AbdusSalam charged members of the University community to always hold firmly to unity, support one another like parts of a building, and build the institution rather than break it.
He explained that Islam gives a profound principle of togetherness that can be strengthened when different people work together for a common purpose. He added that everything must be done to transform diversity into strength.
Addressing the graduands, Prof. AbdusSalam warned that training might have been completed, their character will determine what happens after their graduation.
He encouraged them not to leave the University merely with useful knowledge, but do so with integrity and determination and should always be responsible with knowledge and character.
The Chief Imam prayed to Allah to make the University a place where knowledge is pursued with sincerity, taught with wisdom, applied with responsibility and transmitted from one generation to another.
On his part, the Chaplain of Saint Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy, University of Ilorin, Rev. Father Celestine Emah, urged graduands to express gratitude to God for their academic achievements and use their knowledge to address societal challenges.
He described thanksgiving as an 3essential part of celebrating success, noting that any convocation without thanksgiving amounted to taking credit for what belonged to God.
He urged graduands to remember the University as a place that nurtured, trained and disciplined them.
While encouraging the graduands to apply the knowledge they acquired at the University to solve real-life problems in Nigeria, the Chaplain called on them to appreciate God, the University community and their parents for their respective roles in their academic journeys.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, appreciated the Christian community for its prayers and continued spiritual support for the University.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Olalere Adeyemi, noted that it was significant that the University began the convocation ceremonies with prayers and was ending it with thanksgiving to God.
Prof. Egbewole stressed the importance of committing every undertaking to God and acknowledging him as the source of success.
He expressed gratitude to God for the achievements recorded by the University during the academic session and the successful completion of its 41st Convocation Ceremonies. He urged members of the University community to remain prayerful, united and committed to the institution’s continued growth, noting that thanksgiving was an opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness and seek His guidance for greater accomplishments. He also encouraged the congregation to sustain the spirit of gratitude, peace and service as the University moves into another academic session.
The two events were attended by Principal Officers of the University, several academic and non-teaching staff members of the University, graduands and students.
