UNIBEN convocation sees 14,083 graduates and 198 first class honours as the VC unveils reforms, new faculties, and major academic advancements

UNIBEN convocation will witness 14,083 students graduating this year, with 198 earning first class honours across various academic disciplines, the management of the University of Benin announced on Monday.

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The Vice Chancellor, Professor Edoba Omoregie, revealed the figures during the 51st to 55th Pre-Convocation and Founders Day press conference held at the Senate Hall in Benin City, Edo State.

He described the milestone as a significant achievement reflecting the institution’s expanding academic capacity and renewed administrative direction.

According to him, the dramatic rise in postgraduate output has been one of the administration’s standout accomplishments.

He explained that higher degree graduands recorded a remarkable increase of more than 600 per cent from the previous convocation, which had 241 postgraduate students.

He attributed the growth to deliberate reforms initiated since assuming office, including the elevation of the Postgraduate School into a full College of Postgraduate Studies.

He described the development as a strategic step to position the university as a hub for advanced academic training and innovative capacity building.

Professor Omoregie stated that administrative restructuring had also taken place, notably through the establishment of a directorate of examinations and students’ records headed by a professor of engineering.

The university, he said, has embarked on the digitisation of students’ records to resolve longstanding delays in transcript processing and verification requests.

He expressed confidence that the institution was on course to achieving fully seamless operations in examinations and records management.

The Vice Chancellor further highlighted the creation of five new faculties and the approval of fifteen new academic programmes by the National Universities Commission, describing them as strong indicators of institutional progress.

Professor Omoregie also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, noting that the initiative will significantly improve access to tertiary education funding for students.

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The tone of the UNIBEN Convocation announcement underscored a renewed drive for excellence, expansion, and administrative efficiency across the institution.