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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The management of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has asked interested investors to channel funds into modern hostel accommodation to cater to the growing student population.
Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, made the appeal at the combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremony held in Abuja on Friday.
Senator Tejuoso said the rapid expansion in student enrolment, which is partly driven by new academic programmes and increased national demand, has not been matched by corresponding expansion in infrastructure, particularly student accommodation.
He said: “No significant new hostel development has taken place in recent years. Yet, our student population has nearly doubled. This is not sustainable. We appeal to investors and corporate organisations to support the development of modern student hostels at the university.
“A hostel is more than a building. It is a foundation for learning, a space for dignity, and a platform for shaping the future. The University must not only grow, but it must also grow with structure, purpose, and vision.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, in his speech, announced that a total of 12,624 students, including 77 First-Class honours participated in the combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremony.
He disclosed that 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. 29 earned first class, 1,395 earned second-class upper, 3,091 second-class lower, and 951 graduated with third-class degrees.
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Prof. Fawehinmi stressed that the university’s mission extends beyond academic excellence, stressing the importance of character and resilience. “We 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.”
He urged the graduates to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution. “Your certificates may open doors for you, but it is your character, discipline, integrity, and steadfastness that will determine how far you go and how well you endure.”
The Vice-Chancellor announced that the best graduating students have been offered automatic employment in the university to enable them to achieve their dreams.
The Chancellor and Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, described the ceremony as a celebration not only of students’ achievements but also of the enduring power of knowledge.
Adamu noted that convocation ceremonies are great university events, and every convocation comes with its own inequities. “What we are celebrating today, therefore, is not only the success of our students but the powerful promise of knowledge itself.”
He highlighted the strategic importance of the institution’s location in the Federal Capital Territory, noting its potential for partnerships with government agencies, international organisations, and the private sector.
“The University of Abuja occupies a unique and strategic position within our nation’s capital. Its location presents opportunities for collaboration with government institutions, international organisations, and the private sector,” the chancellor said.
He, however, acknowledged the challenges facing the university, particularly pressure on infrastructure due to the increasing student population. “At the same time, the increasing demand for admission, the pressure on accommodation facilities, and the need to develop more resourceful infrastructure convince us that much remains to be done.
“In our case, what we ask for is not charity but a strengthening partnership in the noble acts of building a stronger institution.”
