69-Year-Old Woman Joins Freshmen at University of Ibadan Matriculation — Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, a 69-year-old retired data processing officer and pig farmer, inspired many as she matriculated alongside over 5,000 new students at the University of Ibadan’s Distance Learning Centre to study Social Work, fulfilling her decades-long dream of earning a university degree.
A 69-year-old woman, Mrs. Kate Bosede Akomolafe, drew admiration at the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC) matriculation ceremony, where she joined more than 5,000 new students who took the matriculation oath for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The oath was administered by the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu, during the ceremony held on Friday. About 5,000 learners were admitted across 16 programmes for the session.
Photos from the event quickly went viral on Saturday, earning widespread praise on social media.
According to a post on the university’s official Facebook page, Mrs. Akomolafe, a retired Data Processing Officer from R.T. Briscoe Motor Company, has enrolled to study Social Work, a course she said would help her manage her non-governmental organisation.
“Clad in her matriculation gown and cap, Mrs. Akomolafe wore a bright smile as cameras captured her among the newest members of Nigeria’s premier university,” the post read.
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 50 years later, she sat again for WASSCE and NECO in 2023 to earn the credits needed to fulfil her dream of obtaining a university degree.
Beyond academics, she is also a pig farmer and a former flour distributor.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter O. Olapegba, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, encouraged students to pursue success through “deliberate choices.”
In a statement titled “Genuine Success is Achieved Through Deliberate Choices,” Olapegba reminded students that every friendship, discussion, and lecture would shape their character and influence their future.
“You are solely responsible for the outcomes you will realise here at UI — a vibrant community where academic study blends harmoniously with social engagement,” he said.
He urged them to abide by the university’s rules and maintain its strong reputation, stressing that the institution has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour.
According to him, true success will not only be measured by grades but also by resilience, insight, and the positive impact students make on society.
Efforts are currently underway to reach out to Mrs. Akomolafe for an interview.
Stories You Shouldn't Have Missed:
- “They called me names”- Farmer Celebrates Gaining Fully Funded Scholarship to Study ‘Agriculture’
- Reactions As Corp Member Uses His Bare Hands To Pull Toyota Truck
- Primary School Girl Writes Painful Goodbye Letter to Her Dad for Abandoning Her, Netizens React
- Student Becomes Ghana’s Youngest Qualified Chartered Accountant At 18
- 12-year-old girl kidnapped in Oyo
- Student Laments as Invigilator Minuses 49 Marks From His Paper During Exam
- AAU Student Loses Life in Crash During Sign-Out Celebration
Join Our 500,000+ Community:
Thank you so much for reading. We will appreciate it if you share this with your loved ones.