ABUJA, FCT– The University of Abuja, now officially transitioning under its brand-new identity as Yakubu Gowon University, held its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies on Friday, April 17, 2026.
The landmark occasion saw the graduation of 12,624 trainees, including 77 First-Class degree holders, in the middle of a high-powered require economic sector intervention to fix the organization’s mounting real estate crisis.
The ceremony, participated in by former President General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), acted as both a celebration of scholastic excellence and a strategic online forum for the university’s future developmental roadmap.
Vice-Chancellor Teacher Hakeem Fawehinmi offered a detailed breakdown of the 2 academic sets. He noted that while the 2022/2023 session produced a bigger volume of graduates, the 2023/2024 session preserved a high standard of competitive quality.
The university likewise announced that over 4,500 postgraduate students are slated for their own graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 18.
Read likewise: UniAbuja VC Fawehinmi Unveils Vision for Global Quality at Maiden Parish, Seeks Staff Unity.
The Accommodation Deficit Difficulty
In spite of the celebratory atmosphere, the university’s management was candid about the facilities traffic jams threatening the student experience.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, explained the present accommodation shortage as “unsustainable.”
The Governing Council issued an urgent appeal to personal financiers and corporate organizations to participate in Public-Private Collaborations (PPP) for the construction of modern-day hostels.
“A hostel is more than a building, it is a foundation for discovering and self-respect,” Tejuoso said.
In his charge to the graduates, Prof. Fawehinmi stressed that academic certificates are simply “door openers,” while character and integrity are the true engines of profession longevity.
He highlighted numerous ongoing jobs aimed at keeping the university worldwide competitive, including:
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Unique Intervention: Selection for a 4 billion 2026 Special Intervention Program.
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Facilities: Conclusion of a new Senate Chamber and a Central Lab.
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Research study: Growth of science labs and international research collaborations.
A Tradition Honored
General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) expressed his extensive thankfulness to President Bola Tinubu for the renaming of the institution, seeing it as a recognition of his long-lasting service to Nigerian unity.
He urged the management to continue pressing the university toward a higher level of worldwide competitiveness.
The total best graduating student for the 2023/2024 session, Oyine James (Department of Chemical Engineering), provided a word of motivation to present trainees.
She attributed her success to early goal-setting and a disciplined “structure” that saw her maintain focus throughout her engineering journey.
As the university concludes its week-long activities on Saturday, the focus shifts to the award of higher degrees and an extremely expected lecture on Expert system in Fintech.
With its brand-new name and a clear required to broaden its infrastructure, Yakubu Gowon University stands at a crossroads of custom and contemporary technological aspiration.