A total of 12,624 students are set to graduate as the University of Abuja holds its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.

Addressing a press conference at the institution’s permanent site on Monday, Vice-Chancellor of UNIABUJA, Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi, said a breakdown of graduating students shows that for the 2022/2023 set (29th convocation), 7,158 students will graduate, including 48 First Class, 2,048 Second Class Upper, 4,418 Second Class Lower, and 644 Third Class degree holders.

For the 2023/2024 academic session (30th convocation), 5,466 students will graduate, comprising 29 First Class, 1,395 Second Class Upper, 3,091 Second Class Lower, and 951 Third Class graduates.

The Vice-Chancellor, who described the ceremonies as particularly significant, noted that the event also marks his first convocation since assuming office late last year. He said the occasion celebrates not only academic excellence but also the resilience and achievements of the graduating students.

Prof. Fawehinmi said activities for the convocation commenced over the weekend with a Juma’at prayer at the University Mosque and an inter-denominational church service held at the Chapel of Love, Gwagwalada, setting a reflective tone for the ceremonies.

Proceedings will continue on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with a Faculty Innovation Showcase at the Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre. The event will highlight research outputs, patents, and projects demonstrating student and community impact.

Later the same day, a Drug Awareness and Sensitisation Lecture titled “High Today, Low Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus” will be delivered by the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), also at the Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre.

On Wednesday, April 15, outstanding graduating students will lead a tree-planting exercise as part of activities promoting environmental sustainability. This will be followed by a lecture on climate change to be delivered by the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Omotenioye Majekodunmi, at the same venue. A convocation play by the Department of Theatre Arts will also feature.

The Don said the Convocation Lecture is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, and will be delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, OON. The lecture, titled ‘Graduating into an AI-Powered Fintech World: Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities,’ will hold at the Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre.

A Chancellor’s Dinner will take place on Friday at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, ahead of the main convocation events.

The academic said the core convocation ceremonies will be held at the Convocation Square, with first degrees to be awarded on Friday, April 17, while higher degrees and honorary doctorate degrees will be conferred on Saturday, April 18.

The V-C said the University will also honour distinguished Nigerians with Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa), including Professor Yusuff Olaolu Ali (SAN), Paul Odili, and Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, in recognition of their contributions to their respective fields and to humanity.

He said the ceremonies will not only celebrate academic accomplishments but also reinforce its commitment to excellence, innovation, and societal impact.