Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The University of Ibadan has introduced sweeping new guidelines governing the collection of Statements of Result and academic certificates by its graduates, imposing penalties for delayed collection and warning that certificates left unclaimed for more than ten years will be shredded. The guidelines were contained in a special bulletin dated September 15, 2026, signed by the university's Registrar, Mr Ganiyu Saliu, and made public on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Under the new rules, graduates are required to collect their Statements of Result within six months of being notified that the documents are ready. Any graduate who fails to collect the Statement of Result within the stipulated period will be required to pay a non-collection penalty of N2,500 before the document can be released. The university also stated that a Statement of Result will remain valid for two years from the date of issuance and will serve as an interim record pending the collection of the graduate's certificate. The institution emphasised that certificates remain the university's official and permanent evidence of graduation and qualification, while Statements of Result are temporary documents.
The guidelines also introduce a tiered penalty structure for certificate collection. Certificates will be available for collection from the date of the convocation ceremony for up to one year. Collection during this initial one-year period will attract a statutory fee of N7,500 for issuance and collection. Graduates who fail to collect their certificates within the initial one-year period will be subject to additional non-collection penalties. Those collecting their certificates after one year but within five years will pay a penalty of N25,000, while those collecting certificates after five years but within ten years will pay N50,000. The university clarified that the non-collection penalties are separate from and do not include the N7,500 statutory certificate issuance and collection fee.
The most severe provision of the new guidelines is the warning that certificates remaining uncollected beyond ten years will be liable to shredding. This means that graduates who fail to collect their certificates within a decade of convocation risk losing their permanent academic credential entirely. The university has advised all graduates and relevant stakeholders to take note of the new guidelines and comply with the stipulated requirements.
The introduction of these guidelines marks a significant shift in the University of Ibadan's approach to the management of academic documents. For decades, uncollected certificates have accumulated in the university's archives, creating a logistical burden and raising questions about the institution's records management. The new rules are designed to compel graduates to take responsibility for collecting their documents within a reasonable timeframe, reduce the backlog of uncollected certificates, and streamline the university's administrative processes.
The penalties, however, have raised questions about whether the university is prioritising revenue generation over the welfare of its alumni. The N7,500 statutory fee, combined with the escalating penalties of N2,500, N25,000, and N50,000, means that a graduate who delays collecting their certificate for several years could end up paying significantly more than the initial issuance fee. The threat of shredding after ten years adds a final and irreversible consequence for those who fail to comply.
The university has not announced any exemptions to the new rules. Graduates who are unable to collect their certificates in person will need to make arrangements to do so within the stipulated periods, or risk incurring penalties or losing their certificates altogether. The guidelines apply to all graduates, regardless of the year of graduation, meaning that alumni who graduated years ago and have not yet collected their certificates may also be subject to the new penalties and the shredding provision.
The announcement has generated significant reaction among alumni and current students, with some expressing concern over the financial burden of the penalties and others questioning the fairness of shredding certificates that represent years of academic effort. The university has maintained that the guidelines are necessary to ensure the efficient management of academic records and to encourage graduates to collect their documents promptly.
The new rules are part of a broader effort by the university to modernise its administrative processes and improve service delivery. In recent years, the university has introduced digital platforms for the collection of transcripts and other academic documents, reducing the need for physical visits. The certificate collection guidelines, however, retain a significant physical and financial component, with graduates required to appear in person and pay the prescribed fees.
For graduates of the University of Ibadan, the message is clear: the window for collecting your certificate without penalty is one year from convocation. After that, the cost rises, and after ten years, the certificate may cease to exist. The university has advised all graduates and stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new guidelines and act promptly to collect their documents. The bulletin containing the guidelines has been circulated to relevant offices and is expected to be enforced with immediate effect.
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