The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, has announced that the institution will graduate 41 first-class students during its 8th convocation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27.
The VC made this disclosure during a press conference on Tuesday in Lokoja, ahead of the university’s convocation.
He stated that a total of 1,863 students would be awarded first degrees, while 117 would receive diplomas, and 216 postgraduates, comprising PhD, master’s, and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) students, would also be conferred with their certificates.
In addition to the 41 students who will graduate with first-class honours, Akinwumi noted that 461 students would graduate with second-class upper honours, 974 with second-class lower honours, and 384 with third-class degrees.
Akinwumi emphasized that the university is gaining recognition among applicants, with over 17,000 candidates choosing FUL as their first choice in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
More than 11,000 students who scored 160 and above are currently participating in the post-UTME screening exercise.
The VC further highlighted that the university offers 58 undergraduate programs across 10 faculties, providing a diverse range of academic opportunities for students.
“As we celebrate the success of our graduands, I am excited to share that Federal University Lokoja is preparing for the 2024/2025 academic session. We plan to admit 9,000 students into these programs, with the session scheduled to commence on November 10, 2024,” Akinwumi stated.
He also shared updates on the university’s accreditation status, noting that out of 42 programs submitted to the National Universities Commission (NUC), 34 received full accreditation, while eight were granted interim accreditation.
He added that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is expected to conduct a second accreditation visit in November 2024 for the university’s College of Health Sciences.
Akinwumi remarked on the university’s progress in academic achievements, highlighting that since his assumption of office in 2021, the university has successfully conducted 22 inaugural lectures, compared to only two held prior to his tenure.
The VC concluded by emphasizing the significance of the convocation ceremony for both the university and the graduates, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
He also announced that honorary degrees would be conferred on distinguished personalities who have made significant contributions to the university and the nation.
Akinwumi encouraged the general public to participate in all activities lined up for the 8th convocation ceremony.