A total of 16,842 students are set to graduate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, during its 20th and 21st Combined Convocation Ceremonies scheduled for November 15 to 20, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, disclosed this on Thursday, November 12, while addressing journalists at a press conference held at the University’s Council Chamber.
He said the graduands comprised students from the 2025 and 2026 graduating classes, with 14,803 earning first degrees and 2,039 completing various postgraduate programmes.
Giving a breakdown of the first-degree results, Anyaehie said 194 graduands obtained First Class Honours, 4,230 earned Second Class Honours (Upper Division), while 7,992 graduated with Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
Another 1,936 obtained Third Class Honours, 65 graduated with Pass degrees, while 486 received unclassified medical and professional degrees.
At the postgraduate level, the University will graduate 603 PhD holders, 29 MPhil/PhD graduands, 1,113 Master’s degree holders and 294 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) recipients.
Beyond the graduation figures, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted administrative reforms, technological advancements and infrastructural developments recorded by the institution under his leadership, guided by the vision, “A Greater UNIZIK is Possible.”
Among the achievements, he disclosed that the University had secured a place in the Federal Government’s $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, supported by the Bank of Industry (BOI), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank/African Development Bank.
He also announced that the University’s internet bandwidth had been increased to 2Gbps through AFD-NgREN, with an additional 300Mbps capacity expected following the installation of Galaxy Backbone Network Operations Centre equipment.
To strengthen digital learning and research, the administration established a TETFund ICT Experience Centre at Hall 2 of the Digital Library. The facility is designed to support emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and software engineering.
The University also upgraded its computer laboratories with 200 all-in-one desktop computers, 20 high-performance laptops, interactive smart screens, Intel Xeon servers, enterprise network switches and video-conferencing facilities. High-capacity inverter systems were equally provided to support uninterrupted operations.
On administrative reforms, Anyaehie said the University had introduced an Online Graduate Clearance System to eliminate delays associated with manual clearance procedures and facilitate faster processing of statements of results.
He added that historical academic records, examination results and transcript archives had been digitised and consolidated into a Results and Transcript Repository to ensure easier access and retrieval.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Student Portal has also been redesigned to improve communication between students and the University’s management.
In medical education, Anyaehie announced that the University’s Medical School had secured full re-accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), resulting in an increase in the annual admission quota for its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme from 100 to 300 students.
He further disclosed that efforts were underway to upgrade the University Medical Centre into a 24-hour emergency healthcare facility.
On campus security and infrastructure, the administration had expanded closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and perimeter lighting. Other interventions included the rehabilitation of hostel water facilities and restrooms, as well as improved diesel allocations for generators to enhance electricity supply.
Highlighting UNIZIK’s growing national and international profile, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the institution had attained a joint fourth position among Nigerian universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
He also celebrated the University’s debate team for winning the 13th All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship (ANUDC), describing the victory as a historic first for the institution.
In sports, UNIZIK athletes recorded further success at the 12th Federation of African University Sports (FASU) Games in Cairo, Egypt, where they won silver and bronze medals.
As the graduands prepare to begin the next phase of their lives, Anyaehie urged them to uphold discipline, self-reliance and excellence in their personal and professional pursuits.
He described the graduating students as evidence of the University’s commitment to producing graduates worthy in character and learning.
“My charge to our graduands as they step into the world is to anchor their careers on Discipline, Self-Reliance, and Excellence. They are the living proof that A Greater UNIZIK is Possible!” he said.
