UNIMAID to graduate 205 First-Class students at 25th convocation

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is set to graduate 20,164 students at its 25th convocation and 50th anniversary in Maiduguri.

At a press conference on Monday, Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammed Mele shared the full figures and thanked key partners. The event shows the reach of the University of Maiduguri across many levels of study, from diplomas to PhDs, and highlights the steady growth of teaching and research on the campus.

UNIMAID convocation figures

Professor Mele explained that 20,164 students are graduating from different programmes this year. These include:

• 66 PhD degrees
• 1,020 Master’s degrees
• 3,851 Postgraduate Diplomas
• 13,624 Bachelor’s degrees
• 1,699 Diplomas

For the Bachelor’s degree class, the grades are:

• 205 First Class Honours
• 3,114 Second Class Upper
• 9,501 Second Class Lower

These numbers show a large group of graduates across many fields, with a strong set of high performers at First Class and Second Class Upper level.

Federal support and campus energy project

The Vice Chancellor thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for steady funding and clear policy backing that have helped the university keep teaching and research on track.

A key project on campus is the 12MW hybrid solar plant. According to Professor Mele, this project has greatly improved the stability of electricity supply across the campus and the Medical College. Better energy supply has helped lectures, laboratory work, and day to day office work run with fewer breaks in service.

TETFund backing for medical and other programmes

Professor Mele also noted that the university has gained a lot from recent TETFund allocations. One major support is a four billion naira fund for new and upgraded buildings. This is aimed at increasing enrolment in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy by giving students and staff more space and better learning facilities.

On top of this, the Federal Government has released over 700 million naira for new hostels in the Medical College. There is also funding for the set-up of a Simulation Laboratory. This new facility is expected to raise the quality of clinical training, as students will be able to practise key skills in a safe, controlled setting before working with real patients.

These steps are set to keep the university’s role as a Centre of Excellence in medical training across the region.

Support from Borno State Government

Professor Mele gave special thanks to the Borno State Government, led by His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, FNSE, mni. The state government has given steady help through:

• Staff housing projects
• New and upgraded laboratory equipment
• Scholarships and sponsorships for both students and staff
• Solar powered boreholes and other direct support on campus

This mix of housing, water, equipment, and funding support has helped staff and students work and study in better conditions.

50 years of growth and the UNIMAID Endowment Fund

As part of the 50th anniversary, Professor Mele said the university is taking time to look back at how it has stood firm during years of security threats and insurgency in the state. During this period, the university has provided steady learning and has served as a point of courage and learning for the wider Sahel region.

To help secure the next fifty years and beyond, the university has set up the UNIMAID Endowment Fund. This fund is planned as a long term tool to:

• Support research
• Expand buildings and learning spaces
• Back scholarships for students
• Support staff development and new ideas in teaching and research
• Strengthen long term financial stability

The Endowment Fund is meant to give UNIMAID a stable base so it can keep growing academic work, even in times of pressure.

Honouring leaders and mentors

During the anniversary events, the university will honour three Nigerians whose service to society stands out. It will also recognise professors whose mentoring and years of work have left a strong mark on the university.

These honours are meant to show students clear role models in public service, research, and teaching. They also highlight the value of long term commitment to education and community life.

Call to alumni and partners

To close his remarks, Professor Mele called on all friends of the university to stand with the school in this new phase. He appealed to:

• Alumni
• Partners
• Corporate organisations
• Philanthropists
• All supporters of education

He asked them to support fresh funding for research, teaching, student welfare, and new projects that will keep standards high.

By working together with these groups, UNIMAID aims to build a stronger and smarter university for generations of students who will live, study, and grow in Maiduguri and beyond.