168 bag first class as UNN graduates 12,895 at 55th convocation

By Alumona Ukwueze

ENUGU—No fewer than 168 students graduated with First Class honours as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), announced that a total of 12,895 graduands would receive degrees and diplomas during its 55th Convocation Ceremony.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing to flag off the convocation activities at the Enugu campus.

According to him, 10,641 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 2,944 will be awarded higher degrees. The higher degrees comprise 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDs).

Professor Ortuanya described the convocation as a celebration of academic excellence and the university’s renewed commitment to scholarship, innovation and national development.

He said the convocation lecture would be delivered on Thursday, July 23, by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, under the chairmanship of former Vice-Chancellor of UNN and current Vice-Chancellor of the University on the Niger, Professor Ositadinma Nebo.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced that four eminent Nigerians would receive honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of their contributions to national development. They are Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; businessman and philanthropist, High Chief William Agbo; architect, Dr. Kaycee Kelechi Orji; and Dr. William Franklyn Richardson.

He further disclosed that two distinguished scholars of the university, Professors Peter-Jazzy Ezeh, and Boniface Obinna Okere, would be honoured with the title of Professor Emeritus.

Reviewing his administration’s first eleven months in office, Professor Ortuanya said the university had recorded significant academic and infrastructural achievements aimed at repositioning UNN as a globally competitive institution.

He said the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria increased the university’s MBBS admission quota from 180 to 400, while the Dentistry quota rose from 15 to 60 students following successful accreditation exercises.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced that the National Universities Commission approved the unbundling of the Department of Mass Communication into five specialised degree programmes, while four new programmes:Agribusiness, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Industrial Arts, and Criminology and Security Studies, received full accreditation.

According to him, the university has also established a Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Laboratory, commenced the digital transformation of its Central Library, and is digitising administrative processes to improve efficiency and transparency.

On infrastructure, Ortuanya said extensive reconstruction of internal roads, hostels and other facilities was ongoing across the Nsukka and Ituku-Ozalla campuses. He listed the rehabilitation of Eni-Njoku, Eyo-Ita, Nkrumah and Odili hostels, the reconstruction of the historic Zik’s Flats, construction of new hostels and laboratories at the College of Medicine, and the resumption of work on the Senate Building among major projects being executed.

He added that campus security, transportation and staff welfare had also improved, noting that salaries were being paid promptly and 1,984 staff members, including 25 new professors, had been promoted within the period under review.

Professor Ortuanya said the university had expanded its international partnerships with institutions in Sweden, Taiwan, China, Belarus, the United States and South Africa, resulting in research collaborations, staff and student exchange programmes, and increased global visibility.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring the university’s reputation as a leading centre of teaching, research, innovation and community service, while calling on alumni, development partners and other stakeholders to support the institution’s ongoing transformation.

“Our vision is to reposition the University of Nigeria as a globally competitive institution distinguished by excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and transformational community engagement,” he said.