UNIUYO Graduates 174 First-Class Students Among 12,450 at 2024 Convocation

The University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, has announced an impressive milestone as it prepares to graduate 12,450 students during its 2024 convocation ceremony, with 174 students achieving first-class honours. The ceremony is set to take place on Saturday and marks a significant occasion, being a combined event for the 29th and 30th convocations.

During a pre-convocation briefing held at the university’s Council Chambers on Nwaniba Road, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo provided a comprehensive breakdown of the graduands. He stated, “This year’s convocation is yet another very significant milestone ceremony in the life of this administration. It is significant in that it’s a combined ceremony of the 29th and 30th convocation in the series of this great citadel of learning.”

The breakdown of the 12,450 graduands includes a total of 1,167 postgraduate students, consisting of 303 PhD graduates, 608 Master’s degree recipients, and 246 Postgraduate Diploma holders. In the undergraduate category, 10,835 students will receive their degrees, including 4,823 from the 2020/2021 academic session, where 56 graduated with first-class honours. The breakdown for this session shows 1,737 second-class upper division, 2,336 second-class lower division, 412 third-class, and 282 pass degrees.

For the 2021/2022 academic session, a total of 6,012 undergraduate students will graduate, with 118 earning first-class degrees, alongside 2,306 second-class upper division, 2,895 second-class lower division, 481 third-class, and 212 pass degrees.

The Vice Chancellor also announced that the university will confer honorary degrees on three distinguished Nigerians: Chief Effiong Afiakure, Mrs. Halima Zakaria, and Dr. Itanwan James. Additionally, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, a renowned scholar in Public Finance Policy, will be awarded the honorary title of Professor Emeritus. Three esteemed faculty members will also receive honorary distinguished professor degrees, including Professor Enefiok Essien SAN from the Faculty of Law, Professor Godfrey Udoh from the Department of Estate Management, and Professor Essien Urua from the Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages.

In highlighting the university’s achievements during his administration, the VC addressed ongoing challenges, including the theft of equipment and facilities, inadequate funding, encroachment on university land, and a shortage of manpower due to a federal government employment embargo.

The University of Uyo's upcoming convocation not only celebrates the hard work and dedication of its students but also signifies the institution's commitment to academic excellence and resilience in the face of challenges.