How Many Students Graduated With First Class From the University of Illorin in the Last 5 Years
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is one of Nigeria’s well-known federal universities, and every year, hundreds of its students graduate with First Class degrees across different disciplines.
But how many students have actually graduated with First Class from the University of Ilorin over the last five years?
About the University of Ilorin
The University of Ilorin, popularly known as UNILORIN, is a federal university located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
The university has a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across different faculties and disciplines. Its academic activities include teaching, research and professional training.
UNILORIN also holds annual convocation ceremonies where graduating students receive their degrees and other academic awards.
How Many UNILORIN Students Graduated With First Class in the Last 5 Years?
The number of First Class graduates reported by the University of Ilorin varied across the academic sessions.
Based on the university’s published graduation figures for the relevant academic sessions, 1,202 students graduated with First Class degrees between the 2019/2020 and 2024/2025 academic sessions for which the university reported graduation figures during the five-year period from 2021 to 2025.
Here is the breakdown.
2019/2020 Academic Session — 180 First Class Graduates
At its 36th Convocation Ceremony in 2021, the University of Ilorin reported 180 First Class graduates among its graduates for the 2019/2020 academic session.
The university reported 9,338 graduates in the First Degree/Diploma category for the session.
This means First Class graduates represented approximately 1.9% of the First Degree/Diploma graduates for that session.
2020/2021 Academic Session — 211 First Class Graduates
For the 2020/2021 academic session, UNILORIN reported 211 First Class graduates.
The figure was part of the university’s 37th Convocation Ceremony, which was held together with the 38th Convocation Ceremony in 2023 because the two academic sessions were combined.
The university reported 14,477 students for the 2020/2021 session. In the First Degree/Diploma category, 211 students earned First Class.
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2021/2022 Academic Session — 239 First Class Graduates
For the 2021/2022 academic session, 239 students graduated with First Class degrees.
The university reported 10,757 students for the session, with 239 First Class graduates in the First Degree/Diploma category.
This figure was also announced during the university’s combined 37th and 38th Convocation Ceremonies in 2023.
2022/2023 Academic Session — 256 First Class Graduates
At the 39th Convocation Ceremony in 2024, the University of Ilorin reported 256 First Class graduates for the 2022/2023 academic session.
The university reported a total of 12,042 graduating students for the session. In the First Degree/Diploma category, 256 students earned First Class, while 3,842 earned Second Class Upper, 6,178 earned Second Class Lower, 1,299 earned Third Class and 62 graduated with Pass degrees.
2024/2025 Academic Session — 316 First Class Graduates
At its 40th Convocation Ceremony in 2025, UNILORIN reported 316 First Class graduates for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The university reported 11,886 graduating students. Within the First Degree/Diploma category, 316 students earned First Class, 4,120 earned Second Class Upper, 5,939 earned Second Class Lower, 1,078 earned Third Class and 11 graduated with Pass degrees.
UNILORIN First Class Graduates: 5-Year Breakdown
The figures can be summarised as follows:
- 2019/2020: 180 First Class graduates
- 2020/2021: 211 First Class graduates
- 2021/2022: 239 First Class graduates
- 2022/2023: 256 First Class graduates
- 2024/2025: 316 First Class graduates
Total: 1,202 First Class Graduates
Adding the five reported figures together:
180 + 211 + 239 + 256 + 316 = 1,202
Therefore, 1,202 students graduated with First Class degrees from the University of Ilorin across these five reported academic sessions.
What Does the Five-Year Trend Show?
The figures show a clear increase in the number of First Class graduates across the reported sessions.
The university recorded:
- 180 First Class graduates in 2019/2020
- 211 in 2020/2021
- 239 in 2021/2022
- 256 in 2022/2023
- 316 in 2024/2025
The highest figure in this five-session breakdown was recorded in 2024/2025, with 316 First Class graduates.
Compared with the 180 First Class graduates recorded in 2019/2020, the 316 recorded in 2024/2025 represents an increase of 136 First Class graduates.
Why Was There No 2023/2024 Figure in the Breakdown?
It is important not to assume that every calendar year corresponds to one University of Ilorin academic session.
UNILORIN’s academic calendar and convocation schedule have not always followed a simple one-session-per-calendar-year pattern.
For example, the university held its 37th and 38th Convocation Ceremonies together in 2023, covering the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.
The university’s 39th Convocation in 2024 covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while its 40th Convocation in 2025 covered the 2024/2025 academic session.
For this reason, a 2023/2024 First Class figure has not been added to the calculation without an official graduation figure for that session.
Is It Easy to Graduate With First Class at UNILORIN?
Graduating with First Class at the University of Ilorin cannot accurately be described as either “easy” or “impossible.”
The available graduation figures show that First Class graduates make up a minority of the students in the First Degree/Diploma category.
For example, in 2024/2025, UNILORIN reported 316 First Class graduates compared with thousands of students who graduated with Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, Third Class and Pass degrees.
This means that earning a First Class requires sustained academic performance throughout the programme.
The University of Ilorin’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, has also advised students who want to graduate with First Class to begin serious academic work from their first day on campus rather than waiting until their final year.
What Does It Take to Graduate With First Class at UNILORIN?
Students who aspire to graduate with First Class should understand that strong academic performance has to be maintained throughout their university education.
Important areas include:
Start Strong From Your First Year
Your academic performance from the beginning of your programme contributes to your overall academic record. The UNILORIN Vice Chancellor has specifically advised students aspiring to First Class to begin serious academic work from their first day on campus.
Take Every Course Seriously
Students should not focus only on courses they consider important. Every course contributes to academic performance according to the grading system applicable to the programme.
Attend Classes and Stay Consistent
Regular participation in academic activities can help students understand course materials and keep up with their coursework.
Prepare Properly for Examinations
Good examination performance is an important part of achieving a strong academic record. Students should understand their course materials and prepare consistently instead of relying entirely on last-minute reading.
Protect Your CGPA
A First Class is built through consistent academic performance. A student who performs well across semesters is in a stronger position to maintain a high cumulative grade point average.
Which Year Had the Highest Number of First Class Graduates?
Among the five reported academic sessions covered in this article, 2024/2025 recorded the highest number of First Class graduates, with 316 students.
The lowest figure was recorded in 2019/2020, with 180 First Class graduates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many students graduated with First Class from UNILORIN in the last five years?
Based on the reported figures for the five academic sessions covered, 1,202 students graduated with First Class degrees.
Which UNILORIN academic session had the highest number of First Class graduates?
The 2024/2025 academic session had the highest number, with 316 First Class graduates.
Which session had the lowest number of First Class graduates?
The 2019/2020 academic session, with 180 First Class graduates.
Is it easy to get First Class at UNILORIN?
First Class is achieved by a minority of graduates, so it should not be considered easy. However, the university has advised students who aspire to First Class to begin working seriously from their first day and maintain consistent academic focus.
Does studying at UNILORIN make it impossible to graduate with First Class?
No. The university consistently produces First Class graduates across different academic sessions. In 2024/2025 alone, 316 students earned First Class degrees.
How many First Class graduates did UNILORIN produce in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 combined?
The university reported 450 First Class graduates across the two sessions: 211 from 2020/2021 and 239 from 2021/2022.
Conclusion
The University of Ilorin has continued to produce hundreds of First Class graduates across its academic programmes.
Based on the published figures for the five academic sessions covered, 1,202 students graduated with First Class degrees:
180 in 2019/2020, 211 in 2020/2021, 239 in 2021/2022, 256 in 2022/2023 and 316 in 2024/2025.
The figures also show that the number of First Class graduates increased across the reported sessions, reaching its highest point of 316 in 2024/2025.
For students planning to study at UNILORIN, the message is clear: First Class is achievable, but it requires consistent academic performance from the beginning of the programme.
