By Gabriel Dike
Former Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Chief Dayo Duyile, has emerged the oldest PhD graduate of the University of Lagos and the Nigerian University System (NUS).
Chief Duyile, who is 83 years would on Wednesday, January 18th at UNILAG 53rd convocation ceremonies be conferred with PhD in Mass Communication.
His academic feat makes Duyile the oldest graduate UNILAG has produced in the 60 years of its existence and in the NUS.
Obiageli Okonji, 82 years, became the oldest female postgraduate student of UNILAG.
Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who disclosed this at the pre-convocation briefing on Tuesday, said 2,251 postgraduate students would be award postgraduate diploma, MSc and PhD during the event.
Giving a breakdown of the postgraduates, Prof. Ogunsola, said 67 students would be conferred with postgraduate diploma, 2,017 would bag masters and 65 PhD.
Daily Sun learnt that because of the eight months strike by the academic staff, the university would not confer first degree on undergraduate students.
The VC confirmed this when she said the past year has been characterised by various challenges to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Said she:”The eight months industrial strike by employees of Nigeria’s public university system was a great setback to scholarship and if not for the doggedness of the Senate of the university we would not have been here today. To members of Senate, I salute your commitment and fidelity to UNILAG, which has ensured that we have graduating students to celebrate at this year’s special convocation ceremony.”
Ogunsola explained that as a result of these challenges, the university would confer only postgraduate diplomas, masters and doctorate degrees as well as the University of Lagos Gold Medal honourary awards at this convocation.
According to the VC, the overall best PhD thesis award went to Ahmed Amoo Yinuda, who obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and also the best in Science.
She further stated that the best PhD thesis in Humanities award went to Rita Okorite Kienka, who obtained her PhD  in Guidance and Counselling
Prof. Ogunsola  unveiled the oldest graduating student is (male) as Chief Dayo Michael Duyile, who obtained his PhD  in Mass Communication at the age of 83 years. “Incidentally, Duyile, was the Daily Times of Nigeria journalist, who covered the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos on October 3, 1962,” she noted.
She said the oldest graduating student (female) Obiageli Bridget OKonji, who obtained her M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling at the age of 82 years
She disclosed that on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the investiture of the 13th Vice-Chancellor would take place at the J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium while convocation lecture would be delivered by Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the Managing Partner of Grand Central Africa.