Gowon Demands Higher Academic Standards At UniAbuja As 12,624 Students Graduate

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has called for higher academic standards as the University of Abuja, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, as 12,624 students graduated during its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies yesterday.

In his goodwill message at the convocation, Gen. Gowon expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for naming the university after him.

“With profound gratitude to Mr President, I publicly appreciate him for naming the university in the FCT in my name in appreciation of my privileged service to our nation for nine years as the Head of State,” he said.

He further commended the gesture as a recognition of his years of service to the country.

“May I use this opportunity to urge the leadership of this university to turn around the fortunes of this university through demonstration of exemplary leadership in academic and administrative standards.

“I am confident that the vice chancellor has all it takes to move this university to a new higher level of competitiveness,” he said.

Out of 12,624 students, 77 bagged  First-Class honours, while 4,573 postgraduate students from the March 2024–2026 academic set are expected to graduate today.

Speaking at the ceremony, the vice-chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, presented a breakdown of the graduating students across the two academic sessions.

According to him, 7,158 students from the 2022/2023 academic session graduated during the 29th convocation, with 48 earning first-class honours, 2,048 obtaining second-class upper degrees, 4,418 second-class lower, and 644 third-class degrees.

For the 30th convocation, which covered the 2023/2024 academic session, 5,466 students graduated. Of this number, 29 earned first class, 1,395 earned second-class upper, 3,091 second-class lower, and 951 graduated with third-class degrees.

Fawehinmi stressed that the university’s mission extends beyond academic excellence, stressing the importance of character and resilience.

“We therefore celebrate not only your academic success, but also the character and resilience that have brought you here at this moment. Of course, without character, education is incomplete, the vice Chancellor said

He urged the graduating students to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution. “Your certificates may open doors, but it is your character, discipline, integrity, and steadfastness that will determine how far you go and how well you endure.”

Also speaking, the Chancellor and Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Dr Rilwanu Adamu,  charged the graduates to apply their knowledge for national development and personal growth.

He said; “As we step beyond the grasp of this university, remember that mere accumulation of knowledge is not enough. What you have received here must guide not only your intellect, but also your character and sense of responsibility to society.”