The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is set to celebrate its 25th convocation and 50th anniversary by graduating a record-breaking 20,164 students across various academic programs. Among these graduates, 205 students will be awarded first-class honours, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history. This was announced by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday ¹ ².
The breakdown of the graduating students includes 66 PhD recipients, 1,020 Master’s degree holders, 3,851 Postgraduate Diploma graduates, 13,624 Bachelor’s degree students, and 1,699 Diploma recipients. For the Bachelor’s degrees, 3,114 students achieved Second Class Upper, while 9,501 earned Second Class Lower honours. These figures reflect the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success ¹ ².
Professor Mele described the convocation as a profound celebration of resilience, growth, and achievement, particularly as the institution has endured challenges such as insurgency, economic constraints, and the global pandemic. He emphasized that UNIMAID has grown from its modest beginnings with just two faculties into a robust institution comprising 17 faculties, a College of Medical Sciences, a College of Postgraduate Studies, and 12 specialized research centers ¹ ² ³.
As part of the convocation activities, the university will honour three distinguished Nigerians for their exceptional societal contributions and appoint several Professors Emeriti whose mentorship and service have left a lasting legacy. Additionally, UNIMAID will launch an Endowment Fund aimed at securing its future by strengthening research, expanding infrastructure, and supporting scholarships. Professor Mele extended a call to alumni, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to contribute to this initiative ¹ ⁴.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted UNIMAID’s resilience over the years, noting that it has remained a beacon of intellectual strength for the Sahel region despite numerous challenges. The university’s ongoing efforts include significant digital transformation, infrastructure upgrades, and academic reforms, ensuring it remains competitive on a global scale. Notably, the institution has also benefitted from partnerships with international organizations and government agencies ¹ ³.
The convocation ceremony, scheduled for November 29, will not only celebrate the achievements of the graduating students but also underscore UNIMAID’s enduring commitment to excellence and innovation. With its 50th anniversary, the university is poised to enter a new phase of growth, solidifying its position as a leading academic institution in Nigeria and beyond ¹ ².