The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI) hosted at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, has graduated 106 scholars from 41 African countries, according to the African Union’s statement issued over the weekend.
The graduation saw 73 Master’s and 33 Doctoral degree recipients early this week upon completion of rigorous programs across nine specialized fields, including Petroleum Geosciences, Plant Breeding, Reproductive Health, Environmental Management, Mineral Exploration, Vaccine Production and Quality Control, Sport Management, Medicinal Plant Research and Drug Development, and Avian Medicine.
According to the statement, the graduation demonstrated remarkable gender balance, with 52 female graduates (49 percent) and 54 male graduates (51 percent). At the Master’s level, female scholars comprised 56 percent of graduates, while the doctoral cohort included 33 percent female graduates.
The geographic diversity of the 2025 graduating class reflects PAULESI’s pan-African mandate, with scholars representing nations from across West, East, Central, Southern, and North Africa. Countries represented include Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and 26 others.
PAULESI operates as part of the Pan African University system, an initiative of the African Union designed to strengthen postgraduate education and research across the continent.
The Life and Earth Sciences Institute, headquartered at the University of Ibadan, focuses on addressing Africa’s challenges in agriculture, health, environmental management, and natural resource development through locally-driven research and innovation.
The 2025 graduates are expected to contribute to sustainable development, scientific advancement, and policy formulation across the African continent.
MG/as/APA