The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, has announced that its 52nd Convocation and 56th Founders’ Day Ceremonies will take place from Monday, November 23, to Saturday, November 28, 2026.

The week-long celebration will feature several activities, including the Founders’ Day Interfaith Service, Founders’ Day Lecture, Convocation Lecture, Convocation Press Briefing and the conferment of academic and honorary degrees.

According to the announcement, the Founders’ Day Interfaith Service will open the celebration on Monday, November 23, at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by the Founders’ Day Lecture, which will be delivered by Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyasan, an illustrious alumna of the University and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Another major highlight will be the Convocation Lecture scheduled for Thursday, November 26, 2026. The lecture will be delivered by Professor Atahiru Jega, OFR, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Presidential Adviser on Livestock Reform.

The main convocation activities will continue with the conferment of First Degrees on Friday, November 27, while the ceremony will conclude on Saturday, November 28, with the conferment of Higher Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees and the title of Professor Emeritus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN, will also hold a Convocation Press Briefing ahead of the week-long celebration.

UNIBEN 52nd Convocation and 56th Founders’ Day: Event Highlights

The 2026 celebration combines two important occasions in the history of the University of Benin: its 52nd Convocation Ceremony and its 56th Founders’ Day.

The convocation provides an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements of graduating students and recognise individuals receiving honorary and other academic distinctions.

The Founders’ Day activities, on the other hand, provide an opportunity for the University community to reflect on the institution’s history, development and contributions to education.

The programme will bring together members of the University community, graduating students, alumni, invited guests, academics, parents, guardians and other stakeholders.

Founders’ Day Interfaith Service

The 2026 ceremonies will officially commence with the Founders’ Day Interfaith Service on Monday, November 23, 2026.

The service is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

The interfaith service will mark the opening of the University’s week-long celebration and bring members of different faith communities together.

It will be followed by the Founders’ Day Lecture, another major activity scheduled as part of the anniversary celebration.

UNIBEN Founders’ Day Lecture 2026

One of the major highlights of the Founders’ Day celebration will be the lecture to be delivered by Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyasan.

She is an illustrious alumna of the University of Benin and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The lecture will form part of the activities marking the University’s 56th Founders’ Day.

Her participation also highlights the connection between the institution and its alumni who have gone on to occupy significant positions in professional and public service.

The announcement does not provide the specific title, venue or commencement time for the Founders’ Day Lecture. Interested attendees should look out for further details from the University.

UNIBEN Convocation Lecture 2026

The Convocation Lecture is scheduled for Thursday, November 26, 2026.

It will be delivered by Professor Atahiru Jega, OFR, a distinguished academic and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Professor Jega also serves as the Presidential Adviser on Livestock Reform.

His involvement is expected to be a major feature of the University’s 52nd Convocation celebration.

The Convocation Lecture is an important part of the programme, providing an opportunity for academic and public discussions on issues of national and institutional importance.

However, the announcement does not state the lecture’s specific theme, venue or commencement time. These details may be provided in subsequent communications from the University.

UNIBEN 52nd Convocation Ceremony: Conferment of First Degrees

The conferment of First Degrees will take place on Friday, November 27, 2026.

This ceremony will recognise graduating students who have successfully completed their undergraduate academic programmes.

For the graduands, the occasion will mark an important milestone after years of academic work, examinations, research and other learning activities.

Parents, guardians, friends, alumni and members of the University community are expected to share in the celebration.

Graduating students should watch out for further University announcements concerning their participation, academic gowns, procession arrangements and other convocation requirements.

The announcement provided does not include specific instructions on gown collection, payment, invitation cards or the time and venue for the First Degree ceremony.

Conferment of Higher Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Professor Emeritus

The 52nd Convocation celebration will reach its climax on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

The final day will feature the conferment of:

• Higher Degrees.
• Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
• The title of Professor Emeritus.

The ceremony will recognise postgraduate academic achievements and distinguished contributions to society and relevant fields of endeavour.

The conferment of honorary doctorate degrees and the recognition of Professor Emeritus will also form part of the University’s celebration of academic excellence and service.

This event will bring the six-day celebration to a close.

UNIBEN Convocation Press Briefing by Vice-Chancellor

Ahead of the convocation festivities, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN, will hold a Convocation Press Briefing.

The briefing is expected to provide an opportunity for the University Management to engage with members of the media ahead of the 52nd Convocation and 56th Founders’ Day celebrations.

It will also serve as an avenue to communicate relevant information about the ceremonies and the University’s activities.

The announcement does not specify the date, time or venue of the press briefing.

Full Schedule of UNIBEN 52nd Convocation and 56th Founders’ Day 2026

Below is a summary of the key activities announced by the University.

Date	Event	Details
Monday, November 23, 2026	Founders’ Day Interfaith Service	10:00 a.m.
Monday, November 23, 2026	Founders’ Day Lecture	Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyasan, CEO, NUPRC
Thursday, November 26, 2026	Convocation Lecture	Professor Atahiru Jega, OFR
Friday, November 27, 2026	Conferment of First Degrees	Main undergraduate degree ceremony
Saturday, November 28, 2026	Conferment of Higher Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Professor Emeritus	Final convocation ceremony

Overall ceremony period: Monday, November 23, to Saturday, November 28, 2026.

The University has also announced a Convocation Press Briefing by the Vice-Chancellor ahead of the festivities. However, its date and venue were not included in the information released.

Important Information for UNIBEN Graduating Students and Guests

Graduating students and members of the University community should take note of the announced convocation dates and prepare for the activities.

In particular, undergraduate graduands should note that the conferment of First Degrees is scheduled for Friday, November 27, while postgraduate graduands and recipients of honorary doctorate degrees will be part of the ceremony on Saturday, November 28.

Students should continue to monitor official University announcements for additional information regarding:

1. Academic gown collection and return arrangements.
2. Convocation fees and payment procedures, where applicable.
3. Invitation cards and guest access.
4. Academic procession and seating arrangements.
5. Specific venues and commencement times for the degree ceremonies.
6. Other instructions for graduating students.

These details were not included in the announcement summarised here, so students should rely on subsequent official communications for confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions About UNIBEN Convocation 2026

1. When is the University of Benin 52nd Convocation Ceremony?

The 52nd Convocation Ceremony will take place as part of the University’s week-long celebration from November 23 to November 28, 2026.

2. When is UNIBEN’s 56th Founders’ Day celebration?

The 56th Founders’ Day activities will form part of the celebrations scheduled for November 23–28, 2026.

3. Who will deliver the UNIBEN Founders’ Day Lecture?

The Founders’ Day Lecture will be delivered by Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyasan, an alumna of the University and CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

4. Who will deliver the UNIBEN Convocation Lecture?

Professor Atahiru Jega, OFR, former Chairman of INEC and Presidential Adviser on Livestock Reform, will deliver the Convocation Lecture.

5. When will UNIBEN confer First Degrees in 2026?

The conferment of First Degrees is scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2026.

6. When will UNIBEN confer Higher Degrees and Honorary Doctorate Degrees?

The conferment of Higher Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Professor Emeritus is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026.

7. Who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin?

The Vice-Chancellor is Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN.

8. Has UNIBEN announced the venue and time for all convocation events?

The announcement provides 10:00 a.m. for the Founders’ Day Interfaith Service but does not state the specific venues and times for all the other activities. Further details should be obtained from official University announcements.

Conclusion

The University of Benin has announced the schedule for its 52nd Convocation and 56th Founders’ Day Ceremonies, which will take place from Monday, November 23, to Saturday, November 28, 2026.

The celebration will feature lectures by prominent personalities, an interfaith service, the conferment of First and Higher Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Professor Emeritus.

The Founders’ Day Lecture will be delivered by Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyasan, while Professor Atahiru Jega, OFR, will deliver the Convocation Lecture.

Graduating students, parents, guardians, alumni and other members of the University community are encouraged to take note of the announced dates and await further information from the University Management.

Congratulations to all graduands of the University of Benin as they prepare to celebrate their academic achievements.