EXCLUSIVE: How UNILAG achieved timely release of certificates, transcripts to students after graduation
By Toyibat Ajose and Oluwaseyi Lawal
Recent graduates of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) were held spellbound when after their clearance for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) they started receiving their degree certificates.
It was a feat they never thought possible especially going by what they saw their seniors go through before receiving theirs.
Many had thought the usual delays and administrative bottlenecks will be the order of the day when they are ready to process the certificates thus pushing it till years after graduation.
However, that age long encumbrances seemed disappeared for good with the experiences of the new graduates.
How it happened
Newsclickng.com gathered that the decision by the university management to ensure timely release of certificates, processing of transcripts did not happen without the painstaking efforts of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and his team.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with this medium, the Post Graduate Coordinator of the institution, Prof. Oloruntola Sunday said the Vice Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was deliberate about doing everything possible to ensure students do not have to sweat to receive their certificates after graduation. He said the VC runs an open door policy for the betterment of the institution.
“UNILAG under the leadership of Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has recorded tremendous changes so I’m not surprised. The man has a vision and he has been trying to make sure that turns reality. One of the areas is the issue delay in processing of certificate. I’m glad efforts put in place by the VC and his team worked. Its a good thing and we all welcome it, and we all want more especially in the area of transcript. I learnt that you can process your transcript earlier now but there is still a little delay on that and im sure that the management is not sleeping on it. Anytime I have the opportunity to meet with the VC as the editor of Lagoon review, I bring up the issue of transcripts. He went to the extent of telling us that we can send him messages. You can see that is a leadership that is determined to improve”.
Speaking on how the new development will affect the university, Prof Sunday said: “The new development will definitely improve the reputation of the school. Its what our products say about us outside that people will believe. So if you go out now and say in UNILAG immediately you graduate you can get your certificate, the public will believe it and it will be a plus to the image of the school.
“The VC’s tenure has also witnessed significant improvements in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), research and this has fetched billions of dollars. Though his tenure recorded certain challenges but that does not in anyway override the giant strides. Our prayer is that the person who will take over after him should also improve on what he has done.
Graduates speak
Meanwhile, past and recent graduates have been commending the university on the timely release of certificates.
Lydia Oshin, a fresh graduate told Newsclickng.com: “Its very commendable, UNILAG has tried and I’m happy to be one of those enjoying this commendable change. I wish them success”.
“Its a nice development because now with the certificate, you can apply for jobs earlier. This enables the recent graduate to have more opportunities and plan their future. I hope it continues this way for the coming sets”, another fresh graduate, John Adegbenro said.
Gbemisola Ezekiel Adebayo in her reaction said: “UNILAG was recently ranked as number one in Africa, so they want to develop somethings and raise their standards. Some private institutions normally get release their certificates early. UNILAG has developed to some extent and as the University of First Choice, Nation`s Pride, they want to maintain their public image. I also think Prof. Ogundipe want to make some impacts before leaving his office because this is his last tenure”.
“Its a good one but I think the best thing for them is to even bring it forward on the convocation day, we should be getting our certificates and results. If they want to improve their ranking (which I know is the aim of Prof Ogundipe) you have to do some basic things. This is not out of the blue, we should be able to get our certificates on our convocation day. This will make a lot of people interested in coming for the convocation event. Also the process of getting certificates should be easier. They should allow people to start clearing some parts before you finish your final year”, a past graduate opined.
