The College of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon College, has graduated over 17,300 college students throughout a number of tutorial classes throughout its mixed convocation ceremony held Saturday on the College Campus, Abuja.
The occasion additionally featured the conferment of honorary doctorate levels on three distinguished Nigerians, together with Paul Odili, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), and Emmanuel Iza, in recognition of their contributions to nationwide growth.
Talking on the ceremony, the vice-chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, stated the establishment is present process important transformation geared toward enhancing tutorial excellence and analysis capability.
He said that the college is specializing in infrastructure growth, employees growth, and strategic collaborations to enhance studying outcomes and international competitiveness.
Offering a breakdown of outcomes, Fawehinmi famous that the twenty ninth convocation (2022/2023 session) produced 7,158 graduates, together with 48 First Class levels. For the thirtieth convocation (2023/2024 session), a complete of 5,466 college students graduated, with 29 attaining First Class honours.
He added that between March 2024 and March 2026, the establishment awarded levels to 4,573 postgraduate college students, overlaying postgraduate diplomas, grasp’s levels, PhDs, {and professional} doctorates.
The vice-chancellor urged graduates to take care of integrity, self-discipline, and powerful character, including that non-public values would play a key position of their future success. He additionally inspired them to function good ambassadors of the college and uphold its fame globally.
Fawehinmi highlighted key infrastructure developments accomplished by the present administration, together with a brand new Senate Chamber Advanced, trendy analysis laboratories, upgraded science services, and enhancements to campus street networks.
He famous {that a} Laptop-Primarily based Take a look at (CBT) centre had additionally been partially accomplished to reinforce digital studying and examination processes. Ongoing tasks embrace further pupil hostels, a Centre of Excellence in Public Management and Governance, and specialised services for sickle cell analysis and coaching.
The vice-chancellor additional said that the college is amongst six establishments chosen for a $4 billion federal authorities intervention programme geared toward enhancing coaching in health-related fields.
The professional-chancellor, Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, referred to as for elevated personal sector funding to deal with infrastructure gaps, notably in pupil’s lodging. He famous that pupil enrolment has grown considerably with no matching growth in hostel services and urged traders to accomplice with the establishment.
Tejuoso additionally warned in opposition to unlawful encroachment on college land, stating that administration would take agency steps to guard its property.
Representing the Minister of Schooling, Dr Tunji Alausa, the everlasting secretary, Abel Enitan, reaffirmed the federal authorities’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s training sector. He described training as a key driver of innovation, {economic} development, and nationwide stability, including that ongoing reforms are geared toward enhancing governance and tutorial requirements.
One of many honorary award recipients, Paul Odili, pledged assist for the college’s growth efforts and inspired graduates to stay resilient in pursuing their targets.
The convocation ceremony underscored the establishment’s ongoing reforms, infrastructure growth, and dedication to constructing partnerships for sustainable development.