Rivers State University will hold its 36th convocation this weekend, with a total of 8,920 students set to graduate. Notably, 120 students will be awarded First Class Degrees, while the ceremony will also mark the graduation of the first cohort of Nursing students from the institution. These Nursing graduates have recently been inducted as professional nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, representing a historic milestone for both the university and the Rivers State Government, which has provided strong support for the Medical College.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nlerum Okognule, emphasized during a pre-convocation press briefing in Port Harcourt that this year’s ceremony would be particularly significant for two reasons. Firstly, it will be his final convocation as Vice Chancellor, with his tenure concluding on March 4, 2025. Secondly, the event will also pave the way for another historic milestone—the graduation and induction of the university's first set of medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in January 2025.
The convocation will feature the award of both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Bachelor’s Degrees will be conferred on Friday, December 13, 2024, while Higher Degrees will be awarded the following day, on Saturday, December 14, 2024. This two-day structure was introduced to prevent overcrowding and streamline the proceedings.
Additionally, Prof. Okognule revealed that a convocation lecture will be delivered on Thursday, December 12, by Prof. Lawal Suleiman, a former Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University. The lecture, titled Emerging Technologies in Reshaping the Future of Education and Learning Environment, will form part of the convocation’s academic activities.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the breakdown of the 8,920 graduating students is as follows: 6,708 undergraduate students, with 120 achieving First Class Degrees, 1,962 earning Second Class Honours Upper Division, 4,017 attaining Second Class Honours Lower Division, 757 with Third Class Degrees, and 58 in the Pass Degree category. In addition, postgraduate students will total 2,212, including 743 earning Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,195 achieving Master’s Degrees, and 442 attaining Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Prof. Okognule also expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his continuous support in strengthening the institution. The Vice-Chancellor lauded the government’s investment in the university, highlighting its role in the institution’s growth and academic accomplishments.
