Seventy-four students of Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, have graduated with First Class degrees as the institution held its 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th combined convocation ceremony at its main campus over the weekend.
The graduating students were drawn from four academic sessions, with the university celebrating achievements recorded between the 2021–2022 and 2024–2025 academic sessions.
Addressing the graduands, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, congratulated them on completing their academic programmes and commended the university management for successfully hosting the combined convocation.
Kefas said his administration had reduced tuition fees in higher institutions across the state as part of efforts to expand access to tertiary education and reduce the financial burden on students and their parents.
He also disclosed that the administration had funded the accreditation of several academic programmes at the university, secured approval for the induction of Medical Laboratory Science students and facilitated the admission of Law graduates into the Nigerian Law School.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the education sector, urging the university to move beyond the traditional role of awarding certificates and develop into a centre of research, innovation and practical solutions to societal challenges.
He challenged the institution to produce graduates who possess not only academic knowledge but also the skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities required to address real-world challenges.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, urged the graduands to remain good ambassadors of the institution and uphold integrity in their personal and professional lives.
Bako cautioned the graduates against pursuing immediate gratification, encouraging them instead to develop strong problem-solving skills and contribute meaningfully to society.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, 25,000 students graduated during the 2021–2022 academic session, 4,609 in 2022–2023, 4,666 in 2023–2024 and 5,402 in 2024–2025.
The figures given by the Vice-Chancellor amount to 39,677 graduates across the four academic sessions.
He further disclosed that 74 students graduated with First Class degrees across the four sessions.
Of the First Class graduates, 22 were from the 2021–2022 academic session, 25 from 2022–2023, 15 from 2023–2024 and 12 from 2024–2025.
The combined figure represents the university’s First Class graduates across the four academic sessions, highlighting the academic performance achieved by students over the period.
However, the figure of 17,576 graduating students stated in the opening account differs significantly from the session-by-session figures provided by the Vice-Chancellor, which total 39,677. The discrepancy may require clarification from the university.
The convocation brought together graduates, university officials, government representatives, academics, families and other stakeholders to celebrate the students’ completion of their studies.
