The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will confer 167 students with First Class Honours at its 54th convocation ceremony.

The ceremony, which kicked off with a press briefing on July 22, 2025, at the Enugu campus, saw a total of 9,821 students graduating with first degrees and diplomas.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, said the graduation statistics reflect the dedication and hard work of the students, as well as the commitment of the faculty and staff.

“These figures reflect the dedication and hard work of our students as well as the commitment of our faculty and staff,” he said.

The breakdown of the graduation statistics, as announced, includes “First Class Honours: 167; Second Class Honours (Upper Division): 3,485; Second Class Honours (Lower Division): 5,217; Third Class Honours: 739; Pass: 33 and Unclassified: 180.”

In addition to the first degree graduates, the university will also award higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas to 1,892 students.

According to the breakdown, 616 Doctor of Philosophy graduates, 1,101 Master of Science graduates, and 133 Master of Business Administration graduates.

Ujam also highlighted some of the achievements of his administration, including the establishment of the Directorate of Grants and Scholarships, which aims to enhance the university’s capacity to attract and manage external funding for research and student scholarships.

“The establishment of this directorate is a clear demonstration of our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering groundbreaking research, ensuring that our university remains at the forefront of knowledge creation and dissemination,” Ujam concluded.

The management of Federal Polytechnic, Idah, has banned the sign-out ceremony traditionally held by students after graduation or semester examinations.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, F.E Omagu, and made available to newsmen in Idah, Kogi State.

The statement warned that any attempt by students, groups, or their guests to defy the directive under any guise would attract appropriate disciplinary action.

According to the institution, the decision was necessitated by the unruly behaviour often displayed by students and their guests during such celebrations, which it described as unacceptable within the campus and the surrounding polytechnic community.

The statement reads: “The ban on the so-called sign-out ceremony by the students, such as signing on the shirts, pouring of water, spraying of money, unruly ride of motorcycle/vehicle, abnormal noise/jubilation and any other activities considered inappropriate within the campus and the area of polytechnic jurisdiction by the management still stands.

“Any attempt by any student or group of students and their so-called guests under any platform to test the will of the management by engaging in such activities, and violating the ban shall be met with appropriate sanction.

“You are hereby advised to desist from such activities, and go about the remaining part of your programme for the session calmly and peacefully.”

However, the management congratulated the students on the successful completion of their second semester examination, wishing them the best outcome.

Sources said that such ceremonies in the past had led to violence and destruction of property, disrupting the peace on the campus and the polytechnic community, which had ridiculed the image of the institution.

Pupils at Divine Wisdom Schools, Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State will not forget last Saturday, July 19, so soon.

That day, the management of the school located at Ifite village behind the old Government House rolled out drums to celebrate its graduating pupils.

As expected, the schoolchildren, their parents, friends and well-wishers came in their numbers to rejoice with them.

A series of activities were lined up to entertain the participants at the event.

These included cultural dances, a presentation by the Nursery 3 pupils, phonics presentation, a presentation in French language, and the coronation of the new Igwe and Lọlọ of the school among others.

The director of the school, Chief Amaechi Obiesili, in his welcome address, explained that the event was actually an annual program where “we celebrate, bless, advise, encourage and pray for our graduating, as well as our outgoing pupils who will be venturing into higher cadre in their academic lives from Nursery 3 to Basic 1 and from Basic 6 to JSS 1 respectively.”

Chief Amaechi Obiesili delivering his welcome address

Going down the memory lane, Obiesili recalled that the school had a humble beginning with about 11 pupils and a single classroom block.

“But today, by the special grace of God, it has over 200 pupils with standard structures”, he added.

The director revealed that the citadel of learning had secured full government’s approvals and certifications to legally operate daycare, crèche/kindergarten, nursery and basic schools.

“The school also has a Certificate of Upgrade, with special school code and brand name, to legally undertake external examinations such as Common Entrance exams, First School Leaving Certificate exams and so on”, Obiesili disclosed.

Speaking further, the director said: “We have continued to maintain high standards in all our endeavours especially as regards employment of quality teachers with N.C.E and/or B.Ed certificates with passion to teach.

“We have continued to provide sustainable security for both our pupils and staff through our CCTV cameras in addition to the physical security personnel on ground.”

Obiesili commended his staff for their contributions towards the growth and progress of the school and for keying into his vision of making the citadel of learning the best of its kind in the state.

The outgoing Igwe of the school crowning the new Igwe

Meanwhile, the event witnessed the selection and coronation of Wisdom Uzodimma Ibe and Unique Josephson as the new Igwe and Lọlọ of the school.

Ibe (Igwe Uzodimma) is a Primary 5 pupil who will be moving to Primary 6 by the next academic session while Josephson (Achalugo Nwaanyị ọma), Primary 4, will be moving to 5.
The duo took over from Nnabuenyi Nwagbo (Ezedioramma) and Mmasinachi Nwachukwu (Adamma Nwaanyị ọma). The two pupils will be moving to Primary 4 when the next academic session begins.

Three boys and four girls contested this year’s Igwe and Lọlọ of the school but after a careful observation of the contestants and their performances, a five-member panel comprising of three men and two women settled for Ibe and Josephson.

The new Igwe and Lọlọ are expected to reign for one year.