By Mercy Joseph, Abuja
The University of Abuja has announced that a total of 12,624 students will graduate during its 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies.
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi stated this on Monday during a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said there will be an automatic employment to the overall best graduating students, saying the move is part of efforts to reward academic excellence and support career development.
According to him, the combined convocation, spanning eight days, celebrates the achievements of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions and marks his first ceremony since assuming office.
He said 7,158 students will graduate from the 2022/2023 set, including 48 First Class, 2,048 Second Class Upper, 4,418 Second Class Lower and 644 Third Class graduates.
For the 2023/2024 set, 5,466 students will graduate, comprising 29 First Class, 1,395 Second Class Upper, 3,091 Second Class Lower and 951 Third Class.
“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, with a total of 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, with a total of 5,466.
“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 our graduate, the overall best graduating students of both will be given automatic employment in the university to further their career. 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,” the Vice Chancellor added.
According to him, the convocation lecture will be delivered by Olugbenga Agboola, who is expected to speak on opportunities and challenges in an AI-driven fintech landscape.
He added that the main ceremonies for first degrees and higher degrees will hold on 17 and 18 April respectively, alongside the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on distinguished Nigerians, including Yusuff Olaolu Ali, Paul Odili and Emmanuel Ayuba Iza.
