Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has restated his administration’s strong commitment to improving education in Adamawa State.
Speaking at the combined 15th, 16th, and 17th Convocation Ceremony of Adamawa State University, Mubi, the Governor congratulated thousands of graduating students and commended the institution for its progress over the years.
The ceremony, held at the Abubakar Barde Campus in Mubi, also featured the recognition of distinguished Nigerians for their outstanding contributions to society.
Governor Fintiri assured the University’s management and students of continued government support, including the construction of internal roads and the establishment of new faculties for Law, Engineering, and Medicine.
He urged the University to focus on research that solves real life challenges and promotes innovation for national development.
In his remarks, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Maxwell Gidado, explained that the convocation ceremony, which is supposed to be an annual event, could not hold in 2023 due to the resignation of the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, who was chosen as running mate to Governor Fintiri.
He said the development also led to the dissolution of the previous Governing Council under her leadership, noting that the last convocation was held in 2022.
Professor Gidado recalled that Adamawa State University, established 22 years ago, is the first state-owned university in the Northeast and the second in Northern Nigeria.
He added that within that period, the University has had ten Governing Councils, seven substantive Vice Chancellors, and one Acting Vice Chancellor.
The Pro Chancellor stated that despite challenges, the University has continued to grow because of its strong commitment to its mission and vision.
He appreciated the Visitor to the University and Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for his unwavering support towards the steady growth and development of the institution.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine Clement, said the combined convocation celebrated three sets of graduates covering the 15th, 16th, and 17th sessions, spanning from 2022 to 2025.
He announced that a total of 8,871 undergraduates graduated, including 42 First Class, 1,734 Second Class Upper, 5,252 Second Class Lower, 1,842 Third Class, and one Pass Degree.
He also disclosed that 15 diploma students graduated, with 19 earning Upper Credits and six Lower Credits. In addition, 339 postgraduate students received their certificates, including 22 PhDs, 100 MScs, 47 MPAs, and several Postgraduate Diplomas bringing the total number of graduates to 9,225.
Professor Clement appreciated Governor Fintiri, donor agencies, and partner organizations for their support, which has transformed the University into a centre of academic excellence.
He also thanked the Governor for appointing him as Vice Chancellor and acknowledged the efforts of the University’s Governing Council in achieving significant progress despite challenges.
As part of activities marking the convocation ceremony, the University conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on three distinguished Nigerians.
They are Alhaji (Dr) Mohammed Indimi, Alhaji (Dr) Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, and Most Reverend (Dr) Dami Mamza. They received the awards of Doctor of Law (LLD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Theology (D.Th) respectively.
The event also featured the official commissioning of the Abdul Samad Rabiu 500-seat capacity lecture theatre and a modern complex named after Professor Kaletapwa G. Farauta. The projects were funded by TETFund under the 2017 2020 merged annual intervention scheme.