The Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe, has revealed that the University of Nigeria Nsukka will bestow first degrees upon 12,526 students during its upcoming 52nd convocation ceremony, set to take place on May 10, 2024.
Briefing journalists on the programmes for the convocation, Igwe revealed that of the number, 252 students will be conferred with 1st Class Honours, while 4,834 students will be conferred with 2nd Class Honours (Upper), and 5,883 will be awarded 2nd Class Honours (Lower).
According to him, 747 will be conferred with 3rd Class Honours, 25 with Pass, and 746 unclassified.
Igwe explained that the 12, 526 represent an increase of 1,082 graduands, compared to the 51st convocation figures.
He averred, “The unclassified degrees are awarded to graduates of some courses, such as medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine, which are not usually classified into first, second, or third classes.”
He also announced that a total of 1,438 postgraduate degrees and diplomas from the University of Nigeria will be awarded at the 52nd convocation ceremony.
Giving a breakdown, he said, “412 persons will earn the Doctorate degree, while 961 persons will be awarded the Master’s degrees. A total of 75 postgraduate diplomas of the university will also be awarded at the convocation.
“Four persons have been found deserving of the honorary doctorate degrees of the university.
They are Professor El Anatsui, who would receive the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), and retired Brigadier-General J. O. J. Okoloagau, who would receive the Doctor of Public Administration. The other awardees are Mr Igor Weli, who would receive the degree of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa), and Sir Emeka Chuka Wilson Orakwue Offor, who would receive the degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).”
The VC, however, revealed that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State will deliver the convocation lecture on Thursday, May 9th, with the theme: ‘Why Nigerian universities should lead the way to a new country.’
He enthused, “The lecture will be chaired by another distinguished Nigerian, retired General Ike Nwachukwu. General Nwachukwu is a distinguished Nigerian, who has served the country in various capacities, namely as the military governor of old Imo State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
