Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has celebrated a major academic milestone, graduating 6,824 students across National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes during its 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony.
The colourful event, held Saturday at the institution’s 1,000-seat capacity theatre, saw 3,892 students complete their ND programmes, while 2,932 earned HND certificates for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions. Among the graduands, academic excellence stood out, with 51 ND students and 66 HND students finishing with distinctions.
Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, disclosed that the graduates came from no fewer than 26 states across the country, describing the performance spread across distinctions, upper credits, lower credits and passes as evidence of improving academic standards within the institution.
Beyond the graduation figures, the Rector highlighted significant institutional progress, revealing that the Polytechnic secured a 100 per cent re-accreditation of all 30 academic programmes — many of which had previously faced serious accreditation challenges. He attributed the turnaround to deliberate reforms aimed at strengthening quality assurance, transparency and efficiency.
These reforms include the introduction of secure Statements of Results and Certificates embedded with QR codes, deployment of e-examinations, electronic result computation systems, e-payment platforms, and tighter regulation of textbook production and sales.
Professor Usman congratulated the graduates and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the Polytechnic, reminding them that their conduct in society would reflect the values of the institution.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of Fellowship Awards on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, recognised for his leadership and commitment to the growth of polytechnic education in the state. Posthumous awards were also presented to former Governor Prince Abubakar Audu, who established the institution, and former Rector, Professor Idowu Ajibero, in honour of their contributions.
Other award recipients included the Kogi State Accountant-General, Dr Habibat Oyiza Tijanni Onumoko; the Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Ibrahim Gambo Maikarfi IV; and former Minister, Professor Stephen Ikani Ocheni.
In a related development, Governor Ododo has approved Professor Usman’s appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, while Professor Salihu Avidime has been named the new Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic.