KEY POINTS

• UNIMAID graduation milestone celebrates student achievement and excellence.

• Expansion across faculties marks UNIMAID’s growing academic footprint.

• Government support drives UNIMAID’s continued educational development.

The University of Maiduguri is set to confer degrees to 20,164 students across various academic programs in celebration of its 25th convocation and 50th anniversary. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Muhammed Mele, revealed the statistics on Monday at a news conference in Maiduguri, characterizing the most recent cohort as one of the greatest the university has ever produced.

UNIMAID graduation milestone strengthens outlook

Mele stated that the graduation cohort included PhD, Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Bachelor’s, and Diploma students from several faculties within the institution. He detailed the breakdown, noting that the university will award 66 PhDs and 1,020 Master’s degrees, alongside 3,851 Postgraduate Diplomas. A total of 13,624 students will obtain Bachelor’s degrees, while 1,699 will be awarded Diplomas. Of the Bachelor’s graduates, 205 attained first-class honours, 3,114 secured second-class upper, and 9,501 received second-class lower.

He recognized the significance of government support in assisting the university to sustain academic stability amid security problems in Borno State. Mele commended the federal government, specifically highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its enduring financial support and unwavering policy assistance. He emphasized the 12MW hybrid solar power plant established on the university site, characterizing it as a significant initiative that has enhanced electricity supplies and bolstered operations at the Medical College and other academic departments.

The Vice Chancellor stated that recent contributions from TETFund have facilitated program expansion, particularly in health-related disciplines. He stated that the university obtained four billion naira to enhance facilities for Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy. 

UNIMAID graduation milestone shapes progress

According to punch, Mele also commended the Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for what he called consistent backing for the university. He listed staff housing, new laboratory equipment, scholarships, sponsorships, and solar-powered boreholes among the contributions.

As the institution celebrates 50 years of existence, Mele said the anniversary offers a moment to reflect on how the university endured prolonged insurgency and other challenges that shaped the region. He explained that the newly established UNIMAID Endowment Fund is intended to support research, infrastructure, innovation and scholarships while strengthening long-term financial resilience.

The celebration will also feature recognition of three Nigerians whose contributions to society, according to Mele, reflect the values the university seeks to uphold. He added that several professors who have played key mentorship roles in the institution will also be honoured. Mele urged alumni, partners and supporters to help reinforce the university’s future and contribute to its drive for improved funding, saying their support would help sustain the institution for generations.