The University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, will graduate 12,624 students at its 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, announced this on Monday at the institution’s main campus.
The ceremonies began on April 10 and will end on April 18, 2026.
Fawehinmi said the event is significant as it marks his “first convocation since assuming office.”
He outlined that activities for the week include a Juma’at prayer, inter-denominational church service, faculty innovation showcase, drug awareness lecture, climate change discussion, and a convocation lecture focused on artificial intelligence in fintech.
He said: “The main convocation ceremonies will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, for first degrees, and on Saturday, April 18, 2026, for Higher degrees and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees, all at the Convocation Square.
It is noteworthy that this year, the University will confer Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) on distinguished Nigerians, including Professor Yusuff Olaolu Ali, SAN, Mr Paul Odili, and Mr Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, in recognition of their contributions to their various fields of endeavours and humanity.”
The Vice-Chancellor added that the institution is proud of its graduates.
He said: “We are indeed very proud of our graduands, whom we have trained not only in knowledge and skills but also in character.”
Providing a breakdown, Fawehinmi said 7,158 students will graduate from the 2022/2023 session, while 5,466 will graduate from the 2023/2024 session.
He said: “Overall, a total of 12,624 students will graduate. For the 29th Convocation (2022/2023 set), the breakdown is as follows: First Class: 48; Second Class Upper: 2,048; Second Class Lower: 4,418; Third Class: 644. Total: 7,158
“For the 30th Convocation (2023/2024 set), the breakdown is as follows: First Class: 29; Second Class Upper: 1,395; Second Class Lower: 3,091; Third Class: 951. Total: 5,466.
“As part of our commitment to the development and advancement of our graduates, the overall best graduating students of both will be given automatic employment in the university to further their careers.”
The Vice-Chancellor said the university has nearly 40,000 students and projects growth to 50,000 by 2030, but warned that infrastructure must expand to meet demand.
He said: “There is a sense in which we can tell Nigerians that this federal university needs massive expansion of infrastructure to become the University of our dreams.”
Reflecting on past challenges, Fawehinmi said the institution had faced leadership instability but has now regained stability.
He said: “In recent times, the university was faced with leadership and administrative turbulence, marked by tension, disunity, rancour, and mudslinging, all of which were unwholesome for our image.
“The fact that we had three Acting Vice-Chancellors within a short period explains this crisis. We are glad that now, the storm is over.”
On academic progress, he said the university has maintained accreditation standards and secured major research funding, including a N4bn intervention for its College of Health Sciences.
He added that infrastructure projects include new administrative buildings, a computer-based testing centre, expanded laboratories, improved digital systems, and solar-powered staff quarters, alongside plans for 1,500 additional student bed spaces.
