Vice Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi (2nd left) flanked by other principal officers of the university.
By Felix Khanoba
University of Abuja (UniAbuja) will at the weekend confer First Class degree on 77 graduating students out of the total 12,624 that will graduate from the institution at its 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing to herald the convocation, said the institution would also grant automatic employment to its overall best graduating students.
He said, “Overall, a total of 12,624 students will graduate,” adding that 48 First Class graduates emerged from the 2022/2023 academic session, while 29 were recorded for the 2023/2024 session.
Providing a breakdown, Fawehinmi stated that for the 29th convocation, 7,158 students would graduate, including 2,048 with Second Class Upper Division, 4,418 with Second Class Lower Division, and 644 with Third Class.
For the 30th convocation, he said 5,466 students would graduate, comprising 1,395 Second Class Upper, 3,091 Second Class Lower, and 951 Third Class degree holders.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, remained committed to rewarding academic excellence, stressing that the best graduating students would be retained as staff.
“We are indeed very proud of our graduands, whom we have trained not only in knowledge and skills but also in character.
“As part of our commitment to the development and advancement of our graduates, the overall best graduating students will be given automatic employment in the university to further their career,” he said.
Speaking further, Fawehinmi said the institution was focused on repositioning itself as a globally competitive university.
“We remain committed to developing the University in ways that will enable it to realise its aspiration of becoming a 21st century world-class institution,” he said.
He further disclosed that the university would confer honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians—Professor Yusuff Olaolu Ali (SAN), Mr. Paul Odili, and Mr. Emmanuel Ayuba Iza—in recognition of their contributions to society.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the convocation lecture will be delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Mr. Olugbenga Agboola, on the topic, “Graduating into an AI-Powered Fintech World: Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities.”
Fawehinmi also highlighted ongoing reforms and achievements within the university, noting improvements in research, infrastructure, staff welfare, and global partnerships.
He said the institution had stabilised after a period of leadership crisis, adding that recent efforts by the management and governing council had restored peace and accelerated development.
“The Chairman of the Council, Senator Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has been particularly proactive in this regard. He deserves hearty cheers for being the brain behind the peace and stability we now enjoy in the University…
“With nearly 40,000 students currently enrolled and a projected enrolment of 50,000 by 2030, there is a need for massive expansion of infrastructure to meet our aspirations,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor called for increased support from government and stakeholders, emphasising the strategic importance of the university as the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and the production of globally competitive graduates.
“In research, the University has secured grants from TETFund and other national and international partners, including a major intervention of approximately ₦4 billion from TETFund for the College of Health Sciences through the Provost of the College, Professor Titus Ibekwe and his team.
“The University is also making significant strides in specialised and globally relevant research. A notable example is the Cardiovascular Research Centre of the University of Abuja, led by Professor Dike Ojji, in collaboration with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Since its establishment in 2015, the Centre has grown into a leading hub for cardio-metabolic research in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa. It has been actively engaged in a wide range of studies, including large observational studies, randomised controlled trials, implementation science, community-based interventions, and drug trials.
“The Centre collaborates with leading international partners and is supported by major global funders, including the United States National Institutes of Health and the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Research. It is currently leading and participating in several high-impact studies across Nigeria and beyond, focusing on hypertension, cardiovascular health, HIV–non-communicable disease integration, and salt reduction in populations. These projects span multiple states in Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory, and international locations, reflecting the Centre’s growing global footprint,” he said.
The AUTHORITY reports that the convocation, which spans eight days, began last week Friday with religious services and will feature a series of academic and intellectual activities, including a faculty innovation showcase, a drug awareness lecture, a climate change programme, and a convocation lecture.
The main ceremonies are scheduled to hold on April 17 for first degrees and April 18 for higher degrees and honorary awards.
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