A 69-year-old woman, Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, stole the spotlight at the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC) matriculation ceremony, where she joined over 5,000 new students who took the oath for the 2024/2025 academic session on Friday.

The matriculation oath was administered by the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu.

About 5,000 learners were admitted into 16 programmes at the Distance Learning Centre for the session.

Images from the ceremony went viral on Saturday across multiple social media platforms.

According to a post on the pro-varsity Facebook page, #UniIbadan UniIbadan, the 69-year-old matriculant is a retired Data Processing Officer,

The page shared over 60 images from the ceremony.

“Clad in her matriculation gown and cap, Mrs. Akomolafe — a retired Data Processing Officer from R.T. Briscoe Motor Company — wore a bright smile as cameras captured the moment she took her place among the newest members of Nigeria’s premier university.

“Now a pig farmer and former flour distributor, she has enrolled to study Social Work, a course she said would help her manage her non-governmental organisation.

“Born on December 22, 1956, Mrs. Akomolafe first obtained her West African School Certificate in 1976 from Government Secondary School, Creek Road, Port Harcourt.

“Nearly five decades later, she sat again for WASSCE and NECO in 2023 to secure the credits needed to pursue her lifelong dream of earning a degree,” the post read.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the university, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, urged students of the Distance Learning Centre to remember that genuine success is achieved through deliberate choices.

This was contained in a statement titled “Genuine Success is Achieved Through Deliberate Choices,” released on the university’s official handle.

Professor Olapegba, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, advised the students to be deliberate in the friendships they cultivate, noting that every interaction, discussion, and lecture would shape their character and influence their future.

He reminded the matriculants that they are “solely responsible for the outcomes they will realise in UI, a vibrant community where academic study is harmoniously balanced with social engagement.”

The DVC cautioned the students to obey the university’s rules, stressing that it maintains zero tolerance for unruly behaviour or any conduct that could tarnish its hard-earned reputation.

He further stated that students’ success would not only be measured by their grades but also by “the depth of their insight, the resilience they exhibit, and the positive impact they ultimately make on the world.”

PUNCH Online reports on Saturday that efforts are underway to reach out to the sexagenarian. (Saturday PUNCH)