194 bag first class as UNIZIK prepares to graduate 16,842

Vice-Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, during the press briefing...credit: Ikenna Obianeri

The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, has announced that the institution will confer degrees on a total of 16,842 students at its 20th and 21st Convocation Ceremonies, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, global relevance and sustainable development.

Anyaehie said 194 of the graduands will obtain a First Class degree across various fields, comprising 4,230 Second Class (Upper Division), 7,982 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,932 Third Class, 65 Pass, and 482 Unclassified degrees.

The VC disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Council Chambers, UNIZIK, Awka, on Thursday as the institution prepares to host its 20th and 21st combined convocation ceremonies from November 15 to 20, 2026.

According to him, 2,039 graduands will receive higher degrees with the postgraduate cohort consisting of 603 PhDs, 1,113 Master of Science degrees, 29 M.Phil degrees, and 294 Postgraduate Diplomas.

He congratulated the graduands, describing their success as a reflection of discipline, hard work and perseverance, adding that the university had prepared them both in learning and character to face global challenges with competence, character and creativity.

Outlining the major milestones and  infrastructural achievements recorded by his administration, the VC listed several ongoing and completed projects, including the multi-million dollar grants and ICT digitalisation, securing of UNIZIK’s selection into the Federal Government’s $617.7 million investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, supported by the Bank of Industry and Agence Française de Development.

He said, “It is a great privilege to welcome you to this press briefing as UNIZIK prepares to host its 20th and 21st Combined Convocation Ceremonies from November 15 to 20 2026.

“The combined convocation will feature graduates from the 2025 and 2026 academic sessions who have successfully completed their various programmes and have been found worthy in character and learning.

Related News

• Varsity prepares 22,961 graduates for combined convocation
• Flying Antelopes seek to extend lead at home
• 2027: Soludo flags off APGA campaign, targets 50% votes for Tinubu

“From our humble beginnings as an offshoot of the former Anambra State University of Technology and our formal establishment as a Federal University in 1992, named in honour of the pioneer statesman and Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Great Zik of Africa, UNIZIK has steadily evolved into a leading citadel of learning.

“Today, we stand firmly on the shoulders of that rich legacy. Over the course of these upcoming ceremonies, we will graduate a total of 16,842 students across the Classes of 2025 and 2026 who have proven themselves worthy in character and learning.

“Today, I am proud to share not only our graduation metrics but also the revolutionary administrative, technological, and infrastructural milestones my administration has achieved under our guiding vision: ‘A Greater UNIZIK is Possible’.

“14,803 students will graduate with first degrees, while 2,039 will receive postgraduate qualifications. Among the first-degree graduands are 194 First Class Honours recipients, 4,230 Second Class Upper Division graduates, 7,992 Second Class Lower Division graduates, 1,936 Third Class graduates and 65 Pass degree holders.”

The Vice-Chancellor described the forthcoming ceremonies as an opportunity to celebrate the academic accomplishments of the graduands while showcasing the university’s steady transformation and institutional progress.

He expressed pride in the progress recorded at the institution under his watch, stressing that the achievements went beyond graduation statistics to reflect a broader institutional commitment to academic excellence, innovation and sustainable development.According to him, the spirit of innovation continues to drive UNIZIK’s progress and sustain its leading role in higher education.

“UNIZIK is now ranked joint fourth in Nigeria in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Our debate team won the 13th All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship for the first time in institutional history, while our athletes secured silver and bronze medals at the 12th FASU Games in Cairo, Egypt.

“My charge to our graduands as they step into the world is to anchor their careers on discipline, self-reliance, and excellence. They are the living proof that ‘A Greater UNIZIK is Possible’,” he added.