The Federal University Dutse (FUD) has announced that 209 students will be awarded first class degrees during its forthcoming 8th and 9th Combined Convocation Ceremony, scheduled for July 4th and 5th, 2025. The university’s acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello, disclosed this in a statement, quoting the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed, during a pre-convocation press briefing.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, a total of 4,277 students will graduate, with 1,271 earning second class upper division degrees, 2,034 receiving second class lower division, and 559 graduating with third class degrees. Prof. Mohammed noted the university’s remarkable growth, highlighting an increase in student enrolment from 202 in the 2011/2012 academic session to 18,000 currently. He also announced that the number of academic programmes has grown from five to 45 within the same period.

As part of the convocation activities, the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Prof. Jibrilla Dahiru Amin, OFR, will deliver the convocation lecture titled “Harnessing Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Role of Higher Education Institutions.” Prof. Mohammed also revealed key developments, including the completion of the Faculty of Law building and plans for admitting students into the faculty next academic session. The university is also working towards establishing a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Highlighting major achievements, the VC stated that FUD has secured over N800 million in research grants over the last four years, including a N113 million Google AI Lab—the first in the Northwest region. He also cited the ongoing N1.2 billion internet broadband project by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, which has provided free Wi-Fi on campus, and a recently signed MoU to establish a 1.6 megawatt solar power grid. He thanked journalists and university staff for their support, attributing the institution’s progress to their collaboration.