Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Celebrates 11th Convocation with Record-Breaking 8,369 Graduates

The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) recently marked a significant milestone as it hosted its 11th convocation ceremony, commemorating the academic achievements of 8,369 graduates at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The convocation, which encompassed four academic sessions spanning from 2019/2020 to 2022/2023, saw a diverse cohort of scholars receiving their degrees. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, the breakdown of the graduates included 6,917 bachelor’s degree recipients, 802 master’s degree awardees, 491 doctorate holders, and 159 postgraduate diploma recipients.

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Among the first-degree graduates, 121 secured first-class honors, 1,941 attained second class upper division, 3,063 graduated with second class lower division, 1,121 received third class, and six students completed their programs with a pass degree.

However, the celebratory occasion also served as a platform for the university's management to reiterate its longstanding appeal to the federal government for the release of the institution’s take-off grant, estimated at N10 billion. Prof Iwe emphasized the critical need for financial support to enhance the university's infrastructure, citing the institution's unique challenge of commencing operations without an initial government grant.

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In his plea to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Vice-Chancellor sought assistance in securing the long-awaited take-off grant, echoing the recommendations of the visitation panel of 2016 to 2020. The panel had unequivocally stated that MOUAU was the only university yet to benefit from the essential grant for the development of its permanent site.

The university also appealed to the government to reinstate five courses delisted in the College of Management Sciences five years ago. Prof Iwe emphasized that MOUAU, established to groom students in agriculture and allied subjects, including management sciences relevant to agriculture, has continued to contribute significantly to national development despite financial constraints.

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With a new administration led by President Bola Tinubu, the MOUAU management is optimistic about bringing the issue of the take-off grant to the forefront and renewing appeals for the university's sustained growth and development.

In the face of daunting challenges, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike remains committed to its mission of academic excellence and its role in shaping the future of agriculture and related fields.