Varsity prepares 22,961 graduates for combined convocation

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Christopher Ekong, has announced that a total of 22,961 students will graduate at the 31st and 32nd combined convocation of the institution scheduled to hold from November 9 to Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Ekong said the convocation, which combines the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 sessions, would be the first he is organising as Vice-Chancellor since his inauguration as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor on June 16, 2026.

He said, “The combined graduation was due to circumstances beyond my control. Under my leadership, the university would no longer combine two or more sets of graduates for convocation.”

Giving a breakdown of the figures, the Vice-Chancellor said 19,217 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees, 814 will receive undergraduate diplomas, 248 will receive certificates, while 2,682 will receive postgraduate degrees.

According to him, out of the Bachelor’s degree graduates, 917 bagged first class, 7,216 second class upper, 10,468 second class lower, 402 third class and 214 pass.

”For the 2023/2024 session, 9,106 students graduated, including 441 First Class, 3,764 Second Class Upper, 4,846 Second Class Lower, 116 Third Class and 98 Pass.

‎”For the 2024/2025 session, 10,111 students graduated, including 476 First Class, 3,452 Second Class Upper, 5,622 Second Class Lower, 476 Third Class and 216 Pass”, he explained.

‎He explained that at postgraduate level, 714 will receive Doctoral degrees, 1,303 Master’s degrees and 665 Postgraduate Diplomas.

‎Ekong also announced that honorary degrees will be conferred on the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas; Chairman of Tantita Security Services, Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo; Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Samuel Ogbuku; and Chairman of Ubotex Nig. Ltd, Mr. Ubong Obot.

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‎ Ekong said his administration anchored on six pillars which are infrastructural renewal, academic and research excellence, staff welfare, student-centred administration, digital transformation and good governance, partnership and global engagement which has recorded measurable achievements.

‎”From the outset, my vision and mission as Vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo was to restore excellence, rebuild confidence, renew infrastructure, strengthen scholarship, and reposition the University of Uyo as one of Nigeria’s leading centres of learning, innovation, research and service.

‎”I dreamed of a university whose graduates are respected and sought after anywhere in the world. I dreamed of a university whose research solves real societal problems. I dreamed of a university whose environment inspires learning and innovation. I dreamed of a university whose name evokes admiration, respect, confidence, and pride”, he said.

‎He said over 1,810 transcripts have been processed and released since he assumed office, with a 72-hour deadline now in place for transcript requests.

‎He added that results of the second semester of the 2025/2026 session have been approved by Senate, while undergraduate and Direct Entry admissions have been returned to departments and faculties.

‎The Vice-Chancellor also listed the renovation of hostels, including NDDC, Needs Assessment and Presidential hostels, purchase of 12 vehicles, renovation of the Central Administration Building, provision of furniture, boreholes and 500 computers, as well as ongoing construction of the Faculty of Pharmacy building and UNIPOD Centre.

‎He said, “The university has resolved the over 39-year feud with host communities, reduced insecurity, cultism and sexual harassment on campus, and launched commercial ventures including UNIUYO Farms and Allied Industries Ltd, UNIUYO Commercial Paint and Block Companies.

‎”The farms have provided employment for over 200 locals, with a 40-hectare cassava farm, cocoa, plantain, oil palm, poultry, fish, snail and mushroom farms.”