Chinedum Treasure
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State would graduate a total of 16,842 students during its 20th and 21st combined Convocation ceremonies scheduled for November 15 to 20, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bond Anyaehie, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the institution’s Council Chambers described the event as another s wereignificant milestone in the institution’s academic history.
He disclosed that 14,803 students would be graduating with first degrees, while 2,039 would 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.
“Another 486 students will graduate with unclassified medical and professional degrees.
“The postgraduate category features an impressive 603 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, representing a significant contribution to advanced scholarship and research development by the university.
According to the VC, the graduates who have successfully completed their various programmes were found worthy in character and learning.
While charging the graduating students to build their careers on discipline, self-reliance and excellence, Anyiehie urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution as they ventured into the wider society.
The VC further disclosed that the institution under his administration had recorded significant achievements in digital transformation, infrastructure, academic development and student welfare, in line with its vision of making a greater UNIZIK possible.
“The university has secured selection into the Federal Government’s $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, supported by the Bank of Industry, Agence Française de Développement and the African Development Bank/Islamic Development Bank.
“The institution has expanded its internet bandwidth to 2Gbps through the Agence Française de Développement-Nigerian Research and Education Network partnership, with additional 300Mbps capacity awaiting activation through Galaxy Backbone infrastructure.
The Vice-Chancellor further announced establishment of a TETFund ICT Experience Centre at Hall 2 of the university’s Digital Library, equipped to support training and research in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and software engineering.
On administrative reforms, Anyaehie said the university had introduced an online graduate clearance system to eliminate delays associated with physical clearance and facilitate faster issuance of statements of results.
“For historical academic records, results and transcript archives has been digitised to ensure easier retrieval. The Vice-Chancellor’s student portal has been upgraded to improve real-time communication between students and university management.
“In the health sector, the university has secured full re-accreditation of its medical programme by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), increasing its annual MBBS admission quota from 100 to 300 students.
“The university is also upgrading its medical centre towards providing round-the-clock emergency services,” he added.
The VC dismissed as unfounded allegations of cash-for-admission practices in the institution, insisting that its admission process remained guided by merit and due process.
While disclosing that about 90 per cent of admissions processed so far were based on merit, Anyaehie noted that the VC’s admission list had yet to be released.
On welfare and security, the VC listed expanded CCTV coverage, improved perimeter lighting, rehabilitation of hostel water systems and restrooms, as well as regular diesel allocations for power generators among the interventions undertaken by his administration.
Anyaehie also announced that UNIZIK had attained a joint fourth position among Nigerian universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
He cited the university’s victory at the 13th All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship, which he described as its first in the institution’s history, as well as silver and bronze medals won by its athletes at the 12th Federation of African University Sports Games in Cairo, Egypt, as other notable achievements.
About Author
