69-Year-Old Retiree Joins University of Ibadan as She Matriculates
Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, 69, captured attention at the University of Ibadan’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC) matriculation ceremony on Friday as she took the oath of admission alongside more than 5,000 new students for the 2024/2025 academic session. The oath was administered by the university’s Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu, during the event, which welcomed students into 16 different programmes under the DLC. Photos of Mrs. Akomolafe at the ceremony quickly went viral on social media, earning admiration for her determination to pursue higher education later in life. According to the university’s official Facebook page, #UniIbadan, she is a retired Data Processing Officer who previously worked with R.T. Briscoe Motor Company. Wearing her matriculation gown and cap, Mrs. Akomolafe smiled broadly as she joined the ranks of Nigeria’s premier university. Now a pig farmer and former flour distributor, she enrolled in Social Work to enhance her ability to manage her non-governmental organisation. Born on December 22, 1956, she earned her West African School Certificate in 1976 from Government Secondary School, Creek Road, Port Harcourt. Nearly five decades later, she retook WASSCE and NECO exams in 2023 to secure the credits necessary to pursue her dream of earning a university degree. Speaking to the new students, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter O. Olapegba, representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, encouraged them to pursue excellence through deliberate effort. In a statement titled “Genuine Success is Achieved Through Deliberate Choices,” Professor Olapegba urged students to be mindful of their actions and relationships, reminding them that each interaction and lecture contributes to shaping their future. He stressed that students are “solely responsible for the outcomes they will realise in UI, a vibrant community where academic study is harmoniously balanced with social engagement,” and warned against misconduct, highlighting the university’s zero tolerance for behavior that could tarnish its reputation. Professor Olapegba added that true success will be measured not only by academic performance but also by the depth of students’ insight, their resilience, and the positive impact they make on the world.