168 bag first class as UNN graduates 12,895

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is set to graduate 12,895 students, with 168 achieving First Class honors, during its 55th Convocation Ceremony. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya announced the figures at a press briefing, detailing that 10,641 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 2,944 will be awarded postgraduate qualifications.

The university is also celebrating significant academic and infrastructural advancements. Following accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, UNN secured approval to increase its Medicine admission quota from 180 to 400 and Dentistry from 15 to 60. The National Universities Commission has also approved the unbundling of the Mass Communication Department into five specialized degree programs. Additionally, programs in Agribusiness, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Industrial Arts, and Criminology and Security Studies have received full accreditation.

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This year’s convocation celebrates a harvest of 12,895 graduands. Of these, 10,641 will receive First Degrees and Diplomas, including 168 First Class honours graduates.

Efforts to modernize learning and research are underway, including the digitalization of the Central Library and the establishment of a Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Laboratory. On the infrastructure front, several projects are in progress across campuses, such as the reconstruction of internal roads, rehabilitation of hostels like Eni-Njoku, Eyo-Ita, Nkrumah, and Odili, and the construction of new facilities at the College of Medicine. Work has also resumed on long-abandoned projects like Zik’s Flats and the Senate Building. Within the past 11 months, 1,984 staff members have been promoted, including 25 academics elevated to professorial ranks.

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The Minister was accompanied by senior ministry officials, including Mr. Mahmud Mamman, Permanent Secretary; Engr. Mustapha Baba-Umara, Director, Distribution; Engr. Kingsley Eneh, Director, Energy Resources; and Mr. Martins Olajide, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister.