120 students bag first class as UNIPORT graduates 8,156

The University of Port Harcourt is set to celebrate academic excellence at its 36th combined convocation ceremony, where 120 students will be awarded first-class degrees. The event, scheduled to commence on Friday, May 29, 2026, will see a total of 8,156 students graduate across various academic levels. Vice Chancellor Prof. Owunari Georgewill announced that the graduands include 510 for postgraduate diplomas, 1,386 for master's degrees, and 438 for doctorate degrees. He highlighted the university's sustained commitment to academic excellence, reflected in the significant number of first-class recipients. Georgewill, whose tenure as the 9th Vice Chancellor concludes next month, emphasized the importance of the convocation as a celebration of achievement and an showcase of the institution's progress. The convocation activities span several days, beginning with a Jumaat Prayer and a Thanksgiving Service. Subsequent events include a Tree Planting Ceremony by the best graduating student, a Red Carpet and Command Performance, Class Day Activities, a Vice-Chancellor's Dinner for first-class graduands, and an Alumni Day Research Fair. A "Fire Side Chat" with Mr. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji OON, Founding Partner of Future Africa, is also scheduled. The main ceremony on Friday, June 5, 2026, will feature an academic procession followed by the award of first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and master's degrees. The final day, Saturday, June 6, 2026, will include another academic procession and the conferment of PhDs. The convocation lecture will be delivered by His Excellency Chief (Barr) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

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The Convocation Ceremony is one of the most important academic traditions of the University. It is a period when we celebrate academic excellence, confer degrees and honours on deserving graduands, and showcase the achievements of the institution.