The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has charged newly matriculated students to make deliberate choices in order to achieve genuine success.

He gave the charge in his matriculation speech to the new students at the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Professor Adebowale noted that matriculation is not a mere ceremony but a rite of passage that symbolizes a formal admission into the university.

He said the University of Ibadan is a vibrant community, a microcosm of Nigeria itself and within its halls, the fresh students will be presented with different paths, saying the friendships they cultivate, the societies they join, the books they read, and even the thoughts they entertain would be the bricks and mortar of their character.

The VC, therefore, urged them to be deliberate in their choices, choose friends who challenge them intellectually, not those who distract them, adding that they should choose to attend lectures and engage with their lecturers, who, according to him are world-class experts in their various fields.

He restated the need for the students to choose the library over idle gossip, integrity over shortcuts, reiterating that every positive choice they make is an investment in the depth of their insight, the resilience they exhibit, and the positive impact they will ultimately make on the world.

The Vice-Chancellor asserted that UI prides itself on producing not just brilliant minds, but individuals of impeccable character.

He, therefore, warned that the University has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour, cultism, examination malpractices, and any form of harassment.

Professor Adebowale informed the fresh students that a total number of forty-six thousand, nine hundred and sixteen (46,916) candidates applied through JAMB to the University of Ibadan, as institution of first choice for the 2025/2026 session.

According to him, thirteen thousand, six hundred and eighteen (13,618) of these candidates sat for the post UTME examinations having fulfilled the 200 point standard threshold for any candidate to sit for the Post UTME of the University of Ibadan and seven thousand and forty-six (7,046) out of this figure scored 50% and above.

Professor Adebowale disclosed that four thousand, one hundred and seventy-one (4,171) were admitted through UTME and two hundred and fifty-nine (259) were admitted through the Direct Entry, urging the students to see themselves as ambassadors of the excellence which the University of Ibadan is known for.

He restated that wherever they go, whatever they do, they will be identified by the indigo-blue and gold colours of the University, therefore they should conduct themselves with the dignity and decorum that this identity demands.

The Matriculation Lecture was delivered by Dr. Olusola Ayoola, a First Class alumnus of the University, whose journey in life has been marked by exceptional achievements.

Dr Ayoola acknowledged that providence brought the students to the University of Ibadan, but charged them to cultivate diligence in order to stay on course, warning that the university system will test them.

He urged them to plan their time, remain hungry in the pursuit of their academic goals and remember that their parents deprived themselves of comfort, fashion, holidays, and even their personal dreams, all for the students to become great in future stressing that diligence is not just for their sake but a race for their entire family.

Dr Ayoola further explained that diligence will keep them on course, but excellence will take them to their desired positions, saying excellence is a culmination of decisive activities that facilitate growth and success.

He admonished them to push forward when their peers say they are tired, take the right path when the crowd takes shortcuts, and urged them to strive for excellence.

The highlight of the matriculation ceremony was the administration of the Matriculation Oath to the students by the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu, FCIML, FNIM, MANUPA, MAUA, fspsp, JP.

The matriculants were expected to complete their induction with the signing of the matriculation registers and the validation of the Matriculation Oath by a court of law.