The Management of the University has officially announced a strategic readjustment to the program of activities for the upcoming Convocation Ceremony, originally slated for late February. In a formal communication directed to the University Community, the Senate, and the General Public, the institution clarified that the Convocation, Awards of Prizes, and Commissioning of Projects has been moved from its initial date of Friday, 27th February 2026.

The grand finale of these academic festivities will now take place on Saturday, 28th February 2026. This decision was reached following an extensive review by the Ceremonials Committee to optimize the logistical flow of the event and ensure that the various high-profile activities—ranging from the installation of honorary fellows to the commissioning of new faculty buildings—receive the appropriate time and attention they deserve.

Rationalization for the Date Readjustment

The primary driver behind this administrative shift is the need for enhanced coordination and the accommodation of the University Visitor, His Excellency Rt. (Hon.) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori. As the Visitor to the University, his presence is vital for the formal validation of degrees and the official unveiling of state-funded infrastructural projects.

By shifting the ceremony to a Saturday, the University intends to achieve the following:

• Enhanced Participation: Allowing a broader spectrum of the university community, including alumni, stakeholders, and families of the graduands, to attend without the constraints of a standard workweek.

• Visitor’s Schedule: Aligning the academic calendar with the executive schedule of the State Government to ensure a seamless commissioning of various landmark projects on campus.

• Traffic and Logistics: Mitigating the impact of the large influx of guests on the host community by utilizing a weekend timeframe.

Scope of the Convocation Activities

Despite the change in date, the core substance and procedural details of the ceremony remain intact. The university management emphasizes that all previously communicated assignments for staff and graduating students continue to be in effect. The revised program for Saturday, 28th February 2026, will encompass several key segments.

Commissioning of Projects Prior to the commencement of the academic procession, the University Visitor will lead a delegation of government officials and university management to commission newly completed laboratories, lecture theaters, and administrative blocks. These projects represent the institution’s commitment to expanding its research and learning capacity.

The Academic Procession The ceremony will begin with the traditional academic procession involving the University Council, Senate, and the Congregation. All participants are reminded that they must be fully robed in their approved academic regalia. The procession is a symbolic representation of the university’s authority to confer degrees and award prizes to those found worthy in character and learning.

Conferment of Degrees and Award of Prizes The highlight of the day remains the formal graduation of the 2024/2025 cohort. This includes the conferment of first degrees, higher degrees, and the presentation of special awards to outstanding students who have excelled in their various disciplines. The university will also utilize this platform to recognize honorary degree recipients who have contributed significantly to national development.

Instructions to Graduating Students and Staff

The university management regrets any inconvenience this adjustment may cause to the travel plans or personal arrangements of the graduating students and their guests. To ensure a hitch-free transition to the new date, the following instructions are reiterated:

1. Academic Gowns: Graduands are expected to have completed the hiring and collection of their gowns from their respective Faculty Officers by the revised deadline. Gowns must be worn in accordance with the university’s dress code for such formal occasions.

2. Seating Arrangements: All graduating students are expected to be seated at the Convocation Arena no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow for the smooth entry of the academic procession.

3. Security and Protocol: Guests and students are urged to cooperate with the security personnel and the Protocol Unit to ensure that the ceremony is conducted with the solemnity and decorum it deserves.

The University Management expresses its profound appreciation for the understanding and cooperation of the staff and students. This change is ultimately aimed at delivering a more prestigious and inclusive ceremony that reflects the institution’s status as a center of excellence.