UNICAL First Female SUG President Sets Academic Record with First-Class Honours

In a historic feat that has captivated the Nigerian academic community, the first-ever female Student Union Government (SUG) President of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Blessing Alims, has graduated with First-Class Honours.

Her graduation marks a dual milestone for the institution, as she becomes one of the few student leaders in the country to successfully balance the rigorous demands of high-level campus governance with peak academic performance.

Serving as the first female president in the university’s 49-year history, Alims led a student body of over 45,000. Throughout her tenure, she was noted for her "scholarship-first" approach, advocating for student welfare while maintaining her position at the top of her class in the Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.

The news of her First-Class finish has been hailed by educationists and gender advocates as a powerful rebuttal to the stereotype that active involvement in student politics negatively impacts academic results.

In her remarks following the convocation, Alims expressed that her success is a testament to the fact that service and scholarship are not mutually exclusive. She noted that her journey—which included multiple attempts at entrance examinations before gaining admission—was fueled by a desire to prove that "excellence is a choice."

As she transitions from the SUG secretariat to the professional world, her story remains a beacon for young women across Nigeria, proving that barriers in leadership can be broken without compromising academic integrity.