The University of Ilorin has announced the commencement of applications into its Postgraduate School for the 2025/2026 Rain Semester, with the admission window exclusively open to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programmes.
According to the university, the opportunity is strictly for qualified candidates seeking admission into advertised Ph.D. programmes only, as no other postgraduate options are available for the Rain Semester. Applicants are therefore advised to apply solely for programmes listed in the current advertisement.
The university explained that the postgraduate academic session spans twelve calendar months, running from October to August, while the Rain Semester is scheduled to begin on April 7, 2026. Ph.D. programmes have a duration of 36 to 60 months for full-time candidates and 48 to 72 months for part-time candidates, subject to university regulations.
Eligibility requirements released by the Postgraduate School state that applicants must possess a relevant Master’s degree with a minimum of 60% or a 4.0 CGPA on a 5-point scale from the University of Ilorin or any recognized institution. In addition, candidates must have at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics. However, applicants who obtained their O’Level results before 2015 may be allowed a pass in either subject, depending on the programme.
The university further stated that NYSC discharge or exemption certificates must be dated on or before January 5, 2026. Applicants who graduated from foreign universities where English is not the language of instruction are required to present valid evidence of English language proficiency.
Applications will be processed online, after which candidates are to submit hard copies of their application forms and supporting documents to the Secretary of the Postgraduate School between January 12 and January 23, 2026. Academic transcripts are to be sent directly to the relevant Heads of Department, as the university will not be liable for misdirected documents.
Shortlisted applicants will participate in qualifying interviews and assessments conducted by their respective departments. International applicants applying from outside Nigeria are exempt from the qualifying examination but must submit a research proposal not exceeding five pages to the Postgraduate School via email on or before January 30, 2026.
The non-refundable application fee is ₦25,000 for Nigerian applicants and $200 for international candidates. The application deadline is January 23, 2026, while the final date for receipt of supporting documents is January 30, 2026.
Applicants are advised to provide valid phone numbers and email addresses, as all official communication will be conducted electronically. Successful candidates will be notified via the University of Ilorin application portal.
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the official University of Ilorin website (www.unilorin.edu.ng) for detailed information on available programmes. The announcement was signed by the Registrar, A. Alfanla, and published in The Nation newspaper of January 5, 2026.
