The Federal University of Technology Minna is set to confer first degree honors to a grand total of 7,312 graduands at its combined 31st and 32nd convocation ceremonies scheduled to hold on the 1st of February, 2024 at the Suleimanu Kumo Convocation Square, Main Campus Gidan Kwano.
Addressing Newsmen drawn from the print and electronic media at a Press Briefing on Monday, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Farouk Adamu Kuta, who would be presiding over his first convocation since assuming office as Vice Chancellor, gave a breakdown of the categories of graduands that would be conferred with first degrees as – 71 with First Class Honors, 1,091 Second Class (Upper Division), 1,916 Second Class (Lower Division), 767 with Third Class and 22 with Pass Degree making a total of 3,867 graduands for the 2020/2021 Academic Session
For the 2022/2023 Academic Session, the Vice Chancellor announced that a total of 116 graduands would be conferred with First Class Honors, 1,099 Second Class (Upper Division), 1, 494 Second Class (Lower Division), 716 Third Class and 20 graduands with Pass Degrees
A total of 120 Postgraduate Diplomas, 955 Master Degrees and 150 Doctorate Degrees would also be conferred on graduands at the event.
The Vice Chancellor seized the medium to inform the press and by extension – the public – about other activities already scheduled in the buildup to the combined convocation and the 41st Founders’ Day.
They include special Juma’at prayers for the ceremonies at the Central Mosques situated at both campuses of the Institution in Bosso and Gidan Kwano, Inter-denominational church services at the Chapel of Grace, F.U.TMinna as well as the final of an inaugural Chancellor’s Cup Football Competition at the University Sports Complex, Gidan Kwano on Monday the 29th of January.
Professor Kuta disclosed that a Scientific Research Exhibition would hold on Tuesday, 30th January at the Suleimanu Kumo Convocation Square, Main Campus, Gidan Kwano before the penultimate event; a Convocation Lecture titled – “The Power of Vision and Innovative Technology: Key to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Africa” to be delivered by Professor John Kennedy Opara at the University Auditorium on Wednesday the 31st of January, 2024.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted some of the projects that would be commissioned during the Convocation Week to include the Construction and furnishing of the African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety building to be commissioned by the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Mr. Chris J. Maiyaki.
The construction and re-modification of the University Main Entrance Gate to be commissioned by His Excellency, Executive Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Construction of a 500-Metre Road Network accessing School of Physical Sciences (SPS) and Postgraduate School ( PGS) and the construction and furnishing of 38 Rooms at the students’ hostel, all at the Main Campus of the University in Gidan Kwano
While fielding questions from Newsmen during the briefing, the Vice Chancellor who announced that power would soon be restored on Campus following a fault at the sub-station serving the university community, touched on the issue of accommodation and efforts being made to provide more hostels for students
According to him the University had signed a number of MoUs with private investors who end up not holding their end of the bargain with commitment.
He consequently called on genuine investors who are willing to partner with the University in this regard to make themselves available and the University remains open to receiving them.
Present at Monday’s Press Briefing were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Abdullahi Mohammed, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Uno Uno who doubles as the Chairman, University Ceremonies Committee, University Registrar, Mr Amos N Kolo, Bursar, Mrs Hadiza Goje and University Librarian, Professor Katamba Saka among other management staff, Deans, Heads of Department and Directors of Unit at F.U.TMinna.