The University of Ibadan on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, matriculated 4,430 new students, including 259 Direct Entry candidates, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), marking their official admission into the university for the 2025/2026 academic session. Amongst these were 341 medical students (315 UTME matriculants and 26 Direct Entry matriculants).
The ceremony, which commenced at 9:56 a.m., began with the official opening by the University Registrar, Mr. G. O. Saliu. It served to formally induct the freshers into the university community while charging them to pursue academic excellence and responsible conduct throughout their studies.
The Vice-Chancellor was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor P. O. Olapegba. Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olapegba, congratulated the newly admitted students on securing admission into the University of Ibadan and encouraged them to uphold the institution’s long-standing culture of discipline and academic excellence.
A major highlight of the event was the presence of a distinguished alumnus, Dr. Saheed Ayoola, a robotics and artificial intelligence expert and founder of multiple technology ventures. Speaking to the matriculating students, he reflected on his academic and professional journey, urging them to balance their newfound independence with the academic rigour required to succeed at the university.
Speaking with freshly matriculated students after the ceremony, a female matriculant described the matriculation lecture as particularly impactful.
“The matric lecture was delivered so well. It was inspiring, and I could really relate to his story.”
Also sharing his experience, a male matriculant highlighted the lively atmosphere of the event while reflecting on his personal experience.
“The event was very interesting. Some people were drumming and dancing, and it showed how excited everyone was. People took pictures and really had fun to the fullest. But my phone died, which made me a bit frustrated because I couldn’t capture the moments. Still, we gained a lot of advice from the speeches delivered. Overall, it was a one-of-a-kind experience for me.”
