… as AfDB boss delivers institution’s 14th convocation lecture

…16 to bag 1st Class among 17,420 graduating students

…51 inmates across Nigeria are among our graduating students-VC

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, will be conferred with honorary doctorate degrees by the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, during the institution’s 14th convocation ceremony slated for Saturday.

The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who disclosed this,Wednesday, at a pre-convocation press briefing in Abuja, said the AfDB boss would deliver the convocation lecture on Friday, ahead of the event.

At the event which 16 students will bag 1st Class among 17,420 other graduating students, Adesina would be conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) (Honoris Causa), while Abbas on the other hand, would be conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) (Honoris Causa), respectively.

“The University Joint Council/Senate Honorary Awards Committee has carefully considered and selected two distinguished personalities for honorary degrees.

” Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President and Chairman, African Development Bank Group – to be conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) (Honoris Causa) and Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the 10th Federal House of Representatives – to be conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) (Honoris Causa), “Prof. Peters disclosed.

Giving a breakdown of the number of the graduating students, the vice chancellor said the figure comprises 10,967 undergraduates, 6,413 postgraduates, and 40 students graduating at the PhD level.

Among the figure, he said 16 students obtained First class degrees, 1,417 Second Class (Upper Division), 5,518 Second Class (Lower Division), 2,761 Third class and 138 Pass degrees.

He also mentioned that a total of 51 inmates would graduate, including 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates from correctional centres.

“I want to report that this is another opportunity for us to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. A total of 17,420 will be graduating this year, comprising 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduates. And then we have 40 students graduating at the PhD level.

“This is a remarkable growth from where we started about four years ago. Of this number, we have 2,103 postgraduate diploma students and 4,310 with a master’s degree.

“Of the undergraduates, we have 16 first-class students, which is fantastic. We have 1,417 second-class upper students, 5,518 second-class lower students, and 2,761 third-class students.

“The total number of graduands from correctional centres this year is 51. This is extremely highg-41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates from correctional centres.”

The Vice Chancellor also stated that the institution is deploying technology to a great extent in the way it teaches its students.

He highlighted key reforms, including improvements in the university’s infrastructure, research funding, and delivery systems.

The VC further mentioned the institution’s accomplishments, including the hosting of prominent figures and the upcoming honorary degree awards.

He reflected on his five-year tenure, expressing satisfaction with the impact and the changes made, particularly in education and research.