It’s never too late to start a new beginning, there is no perfect time to act on one’s dream, neither is one ever too young to follow a path less travelled; this was the story of 4,934 achievers who were recently admitted into various programmes in the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Institute officially welcomed a new class of learners into its academic community through a Matriculation Ceremony and Orientation Programme for the 2024/2025 academic session, which was held at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium, DLI.
From the opening procession to the last note of encouragement, the ceremony blended tradition and innovation, as a hybrid ceremony, accessible both in person and online. This indeed mirrored the very essence of the Distance Learning Institute.
The 2024/2025 Matriculation Ceremony and Orientation Programme was indeed a powerful convergence of hope, purpose, and promise that affirmed the University’s enduring commitment to democratising access to world-class education, no matter the distance.
Welcoming the Trailblazers
The Registrar, University of Lagos, Mrs V. Abosede Wickliffe, in keeping with academic tradition, administered the Matriculation Oath to the new students. With voices unified across auditorium seats and digital screens, the newly admitted students pledged allegiance to academic integrity, excellence, and the values that define the University of Lagos. In that instant, they ceased to be applicants or aspirants; they became Akokites.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bolanle Oboh, captured the spirit of the day with heartfelt words. She heartily congratulated the 4,934 students who scaled through the application process attempted by thousands of applicants. She averred that by claiming a spot among those admitted, each one the 4,935 newly admitted students are now a symbol of perseverance and potential.
“Matriculation,” she emphasised, “is not just a ceremony. It signifies your formal entry into a university where we nurture your dreams, facilitate your acquisition of knowledge and skills, and build character.”
The Vice-Chancellor’s address emphasised the relevance of distance learning in today’s educational ecosystem; identifying it as a path of discipline, self-motivation, and balance. Indeed, for one to enrol in a distance learning programme is to commit to a mode of learning that demands more than merely marking attendance, but calls for presence, persistence, and purpose.
Students were warmly encouraged to explore the many innovation touchpoints within the University: NITDA IT Hub (NITHub), Innovation and Technology Management Office (ITMO), and the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC), to name a few. They were intimated of how the University Library has been reimagined into an innovative and collaborative learning hub featuring a Makerspace, Learning Commons and digital resources that bring knowledge to life.
Speaking on the goal of the University of Lagos to develop thinkers who can challenge the status quo and contribute their quota to the development of our dear country, the Vice-Chancellor’s address urged the matriculants to seize the opportunity offered by this new phase in their lives to study hard, grow and: “Let this be the start of something remarkable. Ask questions, seek help when needed, take pride in your progress, and celebrate every small victory. You belong here. And we are proud to walk this path with you.”
Orientation: Lighting the Path Ahead
After the matriculation ceremony concluded, the next phase of the programme, which is the Orientation Programme, seamlessly unfolded, highlighting its design to equip the new students with the resources and mindset necessary for a successful academic journey.
In her opening remarks, Professor Risikat Dauda, Director of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), UNILAG, extended a heartfelt welcome to the students.
She affirmed that: “The Distance Learning Institute family is greatly honoured that you have chosen the Institute for your academic pursuit and appreciate the confidence you repose in us. We are committed to support you in making your dream a reality.”
Her words painted a vivid portrait of the Institute’s forward-looking vision: a commitment not only to content delivery but also to learner transformation. The DLI’s approach, she explained, is rooted in flexibility, innovation, and emotional intelligence; tools essential for navigating today’s fast-changing world.
Professor Dauda asserted that the Institute is ensuring that its learners are not just educated, but future-ready; from harnessing artificial intelligence to engaging with virtual labs, from e-tutoring to online simulations, and so much more.
Encouraging the students to be focused on their educational pursuits, Professor Dauda charged: “The beginning of a journey is not what matters but how you end it. To finish well, you must plan towards it and be intentional about it.”
She urged students to stay engaged, embrace challenges with enthusiasm, and lean on the supportive structures provided by the Institute and the University at large, ranging from facilitators and counsellors to help desks and medical care. Importantly, she reminded them that excellence cannot thrive where misconduct is tolerated: “cultism, malpractice, and hooliganism have no place in UNILAG”.
A Community Behind Every Screen
Throughout the orientation session, the new students were walked through the core attributes of a successful distance learner, such as time management, self-motivation, and resourcefulness. They were also introduced to the systems that will define their academic experience:
- Learning Management System (LMS) and online interaction protocols
- Assessment and grading systems, including GPA/CGPA calculations
- Access to DLI Facilities, Library resources, and the Medical Center
- Insights on student conduct, security tips, and advisory services
- Use of admission portals, Leave of Absence processes, and payment systems
- Guidance on counselling, anti-harassment resources, and the Academic Integrity Guidelines
Each session was an invitation to fully embrace the UNILAG experience, digitally and communally. It was also a reminder that behind every screen is a vibrant academic community; ready to guide, uplift, and celebrate each student’s success.
The Journey Begins
As the final questions were asked, it was clear that with this matriculation ceremony and orientation programme the Distance Learning Institute had gone beyond ushering in a new cohort; it had ignited a new wave of potential.
These students, present physically and virtually, from different walks of life and corners of the nation, now share a single destination. A future shaped by integrity, innovation, and the unshakable belief that knowledge, when pursued with heart, can change the world.
To every new DLI student: welcome to UNILAG, where your future is already unfolding!
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Samuel Dosumu
