7,094 to graduate from MAU as VC unveils academic expansion, staff welfare reforms
The Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, Professor Ibrahim Umar, has announced that the institution will graduate a total of 7,094 students during its forthcoming 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Professor Umar made this known on Tuesday during a pre-convocation press briefing held at the Senate Chamber of the university, where he outlined the programme of events and highlighted major achievements recorded by the institution under his leadership.
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According to the Vice-Chancellor, the combined convocation ceremony will feature graduands from the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions and will take place at the Convocation Square on the university’s main campus. He explained that for the 2023/2024 academic session, 2,034 first-degree graduands will be presented, including 55 First Class graduates, 599 Second Class Upper, 1,047 Second Class Lower, 330 Third Class, and three Pass degree holders.
For the 2024/2025 academic session, Professor Umar disclosed that 3,673 first-degree graduands would receive degrees, comprising 61 First Class, 1,199 Second Class Upper, 1,931 Second Class Lower, 479 Third Class, and three Pass degree holders.
He added that the overall total of 7,094 graduands includes 5,707 undergraduate degree recipients, 454 diploma and certificate holders, and 933 postgraduate degree recipients.
As part of the convocation activities, the Vice-Chancellor announced that a pre-convocation lecture would be delivered on Friday, January 30, 2026, by Professor Umaru A. Pate, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State. The lecture, titled *“Building Trust Amidst Conflict: Communication, Leadership and the Promise of Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria,”* will hold at Lecture Theatre I, College of Medical Sciences, at 4:00 p.m.
Reflecting on his stewardship, Professor Umar stated that upon assuming office, he pledged to reposition the university for academic excellence through digital innovation, improved curricula and enhanced community impact. He said that within one year, the university had established new academic departments, directorates and units while expanding access to inclusive and quality tertiary education.
He announced the admission of the first set of students into Sociology, Political Science, Nursing and Law programmes for the 2025/2026 academic session, following successful resource verification conducted in December 2024. He further disclosed that the university is awaiting National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation approval for Banking and Finance, Civil Engineering, Building, and Business Education programmes, which underwent accreditation exercises in November 2025.
Professor Umar also revealed that 20 newly verified academic programmes have received full approval for immediate take-off. These include programmes in Arabic, Islamic Studies, English, Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, ICT, Software Engineering, Environmental Management, Meteorology, Forensic Science, Mass Communication, Journalism, Broadcasting, and several postgraduate programmes.
On international collaboration, the Vice-Chancellor said MAU has entered academic partnerships with universities in Maroua, Garoua and Ngaoundere in Cameroon, with some of their students already enrolled in postgraduate programmes at the university.
In the area of staff welfare, Professor Umar announced that all inherited staff allowances, including earned and promotion-related entitlements, have been fully cleared, stressing that no staff member is currently owed. He added that interest-free loans, burial support schemes, and expanded training opportunities have been introduced, with over 185 staff benefitting from TETFund-sponsored programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted infrastructural upgrades, procurement of modern equipment, transportation support through refurbished vehicles, and improved campus security, while appealing to the Federal Government for assistance with perimeter fencing.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal and Adamawa State governments, TETFund, NEDC, security agencies, traditional leaders, partners and the media for their support, and invited stakeholders to participate in the convocation ceremony.
