The Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Ndukwe James Okeudo, has highlighted sweeping reforms, academic progress, and major infrastructural developments ahead of the institution’s combined 30th, 31st, and 32nd convocation ceremonies.
Speaking at a pre-convocation press briefing today, Prof. Okeudo disclosed that a total of 10,255 graduates will be awarded degrees across various disciplines during the ceremony scheduled for March 27, 2026.
The VC, ABSU, Professor Ndukwe James Okeudo (Middle)
He noted that the university, under the leadership of Alex Chioma Otti, Governor of Abia State, has witnessed significant transformation. Key interventions include the clearance of 11 months’ salary backlog, prompt payment of salaries, settlement of promotion arrears, and the restoration of accreditation for the university’s teaching hospital.
The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that major infrastructure projects are ongoing, including the construction of modern faculty complexes, new student hostels, a university pavilion, a staff school, and a 10-megawatt solar power project aimed at improving electricity supply on campus.
On academic development, Okeudo stated that ABSU currently operates 16 faculties and 68 departments, with a newly approved Faculty of Computing and Cybernetic Sciences offering programmes in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering.
He further announced that the university has regained full access to research grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, leading to the approval of 33 research proposals, with over 234 academic staff participating. Additionally, several staff members have secured fully funded PhD scholarships and international conference sponsorships.
In terms of accreditation, ABSU recorded 100 percent success in recent evaluations, including professional accreditation of its engineering programmes by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
The convocation activities will begin on March 25 with a book and arts exhibition, followed by a pre-convocation lecture on March 26 to be delivered by Professor Barth Nnaji. The main ceremony will hold on March 27 at the university pavilion.
Honorary doctorate degrees will be conferred on notable Nigerians, including His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; CEO, Air Peace Limited, Chief (Barr) Allen Onyema, and MD/CEO, Emzor Paracetamol Ltd, Dr. Stella Okolie.
Okeudo reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and institutional growth, while urging the media to continue promoting accurate and verified information about the institution.
Journalists during the tour of ongoing Projects
As part of the pre-convocation activities, journalists were also taken on tours of several ongoing and completed projects within the university. These include the construction of new student hostels with a capacity of 5,000 beds each for male and female students, the ongoing Faculty of Law and Faculty of Agriculture complexes, as well as the newly established staff school, among other development projects across the campus.
