Building dreams, battling limits: UniAbuja’s expansion reforms, challenge

The University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, graduated over 12,000 students at its recent combined convocation, highlighting rising enrolment, widening infrastructure gaps, and funding challenges, writes GIFT HABIB

Universities in Nigeria have continued to record steady growth in student enrolment and academic output, driven by rising demand for tertiary education and the expansion of academic programmes across institutions. This imposes fresh demands on universities’ infrastructure, staffing, and funding.

The need to meet these growing demands was emphasised at the recently held combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies of the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, where a total of 12,624 students graduated from the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.

The event also marked the graduation of 4,573 postgraduate students between March 2024 and March 2026.

The number of graduating students indicated a growing student population and sustained demand for admission to federal universities across the country.

The convocation was the first under Vice-Chancellor Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi, since he assumed office in December, 2025. It allowed the VC to reel out achievements as well as the institution’s challenges.

He noted that with student accommodation a critical component of the university’s infrastructure framework, there was a need for more hostels to serve the burgeoning student population.

The varsity VC, during the convocation week, indicated that additional accommodation projects were being considered through public-private partnership arrangements to expand capacity and improve living conditions.

There has been a consistent observation that a significant number of students of urban-based federal universities in Nigeria reside off-campus, particularly as enrolment numbers continuously outpace hostel spaces.

Fawehinmi said, “To create an enabling environment, a major project for the construction of 1,500 student bed spaces is on course, which will significantly improve accommodation and welfare for our students.

“This initiative is to be developed through a Public-Private Partnership with Royal Dynasty Homes Ltd.”

Fawehinmi added, “This federal university needs massive expansion of infrastructure to become the university of our dreams, a modern university of first choice, indeed.”

The university has also expanded its academic offerings over time, including the introduction of new programmes and the strengthening of existing departments across sciences, humanities, social sciences, law, engineering, and health-related disciplines.

Noting the limitation of government funding, the VC appealed to investors and inventors to seek areas of collaboration with the university authorities to upgrade its facilities for innovation and meet national and global competitiveness.

“We need to upgrade our facilities for teaching and accommodation of staff and students.

“It may not have been obvious to the public, but demand for admission and job opportunities here has been incredibly high because this is the capital of the federation and the only public university in the 50-year-old Federal Capital Territory,” Fawehinmi said.

Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, called attention to the institution’s infrastructure deficit.

Tejuoso said, “The rapid expansion in student enrollment, which is partly driven by new academic programmes and increased national demand, has not been matched by corresponding expansion in infrastructure, particularly student accommodation.

“No significant new hostel development has taken place in recent years, yet our student population has nearly doubled.”

Describing the situation as unsustainable, the Pro-Chancellor appealed to investors and corporate organisations to support the development of student hostels.

Tejuoso said, “A hostel is more than a building. It is a foundation for learning, a space for dignity, and a platform for shaping the future.”

The university VC also outlined ongoing efforts to address land use and planning within its main campus and surrounding areas.

These include measures to protect designated university land from encroachment and ensure its availability for future academic and research development.

This came against the backdrop of concerns about illegal occupation of university land, which were also raised during the convocation, with authorities indicating that steps would be taken to enforce compliance and preserve institutional assets.

Fawehinmi explained, “Encroachment on university land, from all fronts, is also a serious challenge. Even before I assumed office, management had warned that some planned faculties and agricultural research zones would be disrupted by land encroachment and limited funding.

“The University of Abuja deserves more than its over 11,000 hectares. With a determined and committed administration like ours, the freedom to utilise our land without harassment and intimidation will enable us to create additional research institutes, centres, and other platforms for innovative knowledge production, thereby increasing our research output.”

He added that planning efforts were also focused on long-term expansion, including the development of new faculties, research zones, and agricultural facilities, in line with the university’s projected growth and strategic vision.

He detailed that the university has undertaken several infrastructure projects aimed at supporting academic activities, research, and institutional operations.

“These include the construction of a central research laboratory administrative building, the expansion of science laboratories, and the development of administrative facilities such as a Senate chamber. Additional projects include improvements in digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, and the establishment of technology-driven learning environments,” Fawehinmi said.

He indicated that additional projects were ongoing, including hostel development initiatives, the expansion of teaching facilities, and an upgrade to student services infrastructure.

“The university is also among institutions selected to benefit from a N4bn Special Intervention Programme scheduled for 2026, aimed at supporting infrastructure and research development in selected Nigerian universities. This intervention is expected to enhance the institution’s research capacity and physical development,” he said.

Relief may be on the way to address the university’s yearnings as the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening universities through improved funding, infrastructure development and staff welfare.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abel Enitan, the minister noted that education remains central to national development and stability.

He noted that countries that prioritise education position themselves for leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth, adding that the FG will continue to strengthen the sector.

“As a government that recognises the central importance of education, we will continue to invest in our universities. We serve as the intellectual engines of national development.

“In exercising the statutory responsibility, the federal government intervened in the internal leadership challenges in the university in the recent past to ensure peace, stability and the academic progress of the students.

“The stability of our university is non-negotiable, and it is essential for the credibility of our education and for the future of our young people. President Tinubu’s administration will continue to invest in universities as intellectual engines of national growth,” he said.

In his goodwill message at the convocation, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd) expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the renaming of the university after him.

Gowon said, “With profound gratitude to Mr President, I publicly appreciate him for naming the university in the FCT in my name in appreciation of my privileged service to our nation for nine years as the Head of State.”

He further described the recognition as a reflection of national acknowledgement of his years in public service.

Speaking further, he charged the leadership of UniAbuja to turn around the fortunes of this university through the demonstration of exemplary leadership in academic and administrative standards.

“I am confident that the VC has all it takes to move this university to a new higher level of competitiveness,” Gowon said.

A breakdown of the graduating students showed that, for the 2022/2023 academic session, 7,158 students graduated, with 48 bagging First Class. Also, 2,048 obtained second-class upper, 4,418 second-class lower, and 644 third-class degrees.

For the 30th convocation, which covered the 2023/2024 academic session, 5,466 students graduated. Of this number, 29 earned first class, 1,395 earned second-class upper, 3,091 second-class lower, and 951 graduated with third-class degrees. In total, 77 students graduated with first-class honours across both sessions.

In addition, the university reported postgraduate graduations from the March 2024–2026 academic set, with 4,573 postgraduate students completing their programmes during the convocation period. These included Postgraduate Diploma holders, academic and professional Master’s degree graduates, PhD holders, and professional doctorate recipients.

The overall best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session, Oyine James of the Department of Chemical Engineering, said her academic achievement was the result of a clear goal set before entering the university and consistent discipline throughout her studies.

She explained that she deliberately established effective study routines and made personal sacrifices to remain focused on her objective of graduating with a First Class degree. She said, “Before I came into the university, my goal was to graduate with a First Class. I came into the university and put structures in place that enabled me to achieve it. It was not easy, but I had to prioritise.”

The convocation was the crescendo of a week-long programme featuring Juma’at prayer and an interdenominational church service. Other activities of the week were a faculty innovation showcase featuring research outputs, student projects, prototypes, and applied academic work across departments. The showcase served as a platform for demonstrating the practical relevance of academic research and its potential contributions to industry, policy, and community development.

A drug awareness lecture was also held in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, focusing on substance use, prevention strategies, and the broader social implications of drug abuse within tertiary institutions. The session addressed behavioural risks among young people and reinforced institutional efforts toward student welfare and discipline.

A climate change dialogue formed part of the programme, examining environmental policy issues, including carbon credit systems, sustainability frameworks, and climate adaptation strategies relevant to Nigeria and the African continent. This was followed by a tree-planting exercise involving graduating students as part of environmental awareness activities and long-term campus sustainability efforts.

The Department of Theatre Arts staged a convocation play as part of the cultural programme, contributing to the artistic dimension of the event and showcasing creative expression within the academic environment. In addition, a fireside session was held between the VC and first-class graduates, focusing on academic excellence, study habits, mentorship, and the transition from university life to professional careers.

The pre-convocation lecture was delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave Technology Limited, Olugbenga Agboola. The lecture addressed the role of Artificial Intelligence in the financial technology sector and its implications for employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development in a rapidly evolving digital economy.