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…highlights $2m research grants, infrastructure expansion, improved student welfare
Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, will graduate a total of 1,895 students at its 7th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, with 71 undergraduate students emerging with first-class honours.
The graduating students comprise 1,315 undergraduates and 580 postgraduate students, including 59 PhD graduands, 206 academic master’s degree holders, 219 professional master’s degree holders and 96 postgraduate diploma recipients.
The undergraduate breakdown shows that 472 students obtained Second Class Upper Division, 337 Second Class Lower Division, 66 Third Class and two Pass degrees, while 367 students in programmes including Pharmacy and Medicine were classified under the unclassified category.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje, who disclosed the figures while addressing journalists ahead of the convocation, said the university had continued to record progress in infrastructure development, academic culture, research and student welfare since he assumed office three years ago.
He said he came into office with a clear value-addition action plan supported by key performance indicators, adding that several projects had been completed while others were at different stages of construction.
On infrastructure, he listed the construction and furnishing of two hostels and the expansion of another, providing a combined 1,000 bed spaces.
He also disclosed that the university had constructed the Faculty of Education, while the Faculty of Pharmacy and main library were under construction.
According to him, two additional hostel projects have also commenced as part of efforts to address accommodation challenges that previously forced many students to reside outside the university.
He explained that accommodation was one of the major challenges he inherited, particularly against the backdrop of security concerns, but expressed optimism that ongoing interventions would gradually address the problem.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the university had strengthened its academic culture through inaugural, public and valedictory lectures.
He said only five professors had delivered inaugural lectures before he assumed office, but the institution was now preparing for its 16th inaugural lecture.
It had also hosted four public lectures delivered by eminent personalities from Nigeria and abroad, alongside two valedictory lectures.
He said the university had sustained back-to-back convocations, with the fifth, sixth and seventh ceremonies held consecutively, to enable graduates obtain their certificates promptly and move on with their careers rather than wait several years.
On research and innovation, the Vice-Chancellor said the university’s Zankli Research Centre had attracted a research grant portfolio exceeding $2 million within the last three years.
He identified tuberculosis, malaria, glaucoma and HIV care as some of the centre’s major research areas, adding that the university had contributed data to the World Health Organisation (WHO), particularly in tuberculosis research.
He also highlighted a strong partnership with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and disclosed that the university had seven research thematic areas that had secured various grants.
On graduate employability, he said the university operated a graduate tracer system through its alumni platform and programme accreditation processes to obtain feedback on the performance of its products.
He cited commendations from the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, and a telecommunications company, Galaxy, as evidence of the quality of graduates produced by the institution.
Addressing concerns about student welfare, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had moved to Band A electricity supply despite the financial implications, ensuring more regular power supply in the hostels.
He also disclosed that boreholes had been sunk and some existing facilities solarised.
He said various committees, including hostel rehabilitation, students’ disciplinary and zero-tolerance committees, had been established to maintain facilities, protect students’ welfare and discourage misconduct.
On the university’s faith-based identity, he said measures such as spiritual chaplaincy, behavioural committees and compulsory undertakings by students to abide by institutional regulations were designed to produce graduates who were sound academically and spiritually.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s community outreach programmes, including free distribution of eyeglasses and other welfare interventions.
He disclosed that Professor John Edegbor donated 50 eyeglasses for distribution to beneficiaries last year, while the university’s ventures provided rice, bread and water for community outreach this year.
Looking ahead, he said his vision was to build a fully ICT-driven university with accessible internet connectivity across the campus, adequate hostel accommodation and a stronger research profile, particularly in public health.
