University of Ibadan Law Faculty Celebrates 58 First Class Graduates in 2024/2025 Session
The Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan has achieved an extraordinary academic milestone, with fifty-eight students graduating with first-class honours in the 2024/2025 academic session. This significant accomplishment has garnered widespread attention across social media platforms and within Nigeria's academic and legal communities, reinforcing the faculty's reputation for excellence.
Confirmation from Former Vice Chancellor Idowu Olayinka
Although the university management has not yet issued an official statement, confirmation of the results came from Idowu Olayinka, a former vice chancellor of the institution. Olayinka disclosed on his verified Facebook page that the results were approved at a Senate meeting held on Monday, February 16, 2026.
"It has been factually reported that 58 out of the 146 students who graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan at the end of the 2024/2025 academic session earned a First Class," Olayinka stated. "Happily, I attended the Senate meeting that approved the results yesterday, 16th February 2026."
He explained that this performance is consistent with a long-standing pattern within the faculty, reflecting the high calibre of students admitted over the years. Olayinka attributed the outcome partly to the competitive admission process, noting that students admitted into the programme typically record weighted averages close to 70 percent in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and post-UTME screening.
Admission Standards and Academic Record
Olayinka emphasized that the merit cut-off mark for law for the 2025/2026 session stood at 70.875 percent, compared with higher thresholds for medicine and surgery and nursing science. "In reality, all the students admitted into the Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan have the potential to eventually graduate with First Class honours," he said.
The former vice chancellor also commended the faculty and the university Senate for maintaining rigorous academic standards. He highlighted that graduates of the Faculty of Law at UI have consistently performed well at the Nigerian Law School, stating, "What is important is that the UI Law graduates are fit for purpose. They have always excelled in their Final Bar Examinations at the Nigerian Law School."
Celebrations and Social Media Reactions
The results quickly gained traction on social media, particularly on X, where students, alumni, and supporters of the institution praised the feat. Many described the outcome as a reflection of years of discipline, resilience, and sustained academic effort by the graduates.
Student bodies and alumni groups joined in celebrating the achievement. The UI Law Students' Society shared photos of the graduating class on X, while the UI Alumni Association confirmed that the cohort also recorded 71 second class upper and 17 second class lower honours.
Context of UI's Academic Standing
This achievement comes as the University of Ibadan reclaims its position as Nigeria's highest-ranked university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Results released on Thursday, January 22, placed UI in the 801 to 1000 global band, making it the top-ranked Nigerian institution in the latest edition.
The Faculty of Law's success underscores the university's commitment to academic excellence and its role in producing highly qualified legal professionals for Nigeria. As the institution continues to build on its legacy, this milestone serves as an inspiration for current and prospective students across the country.
