UniAbuja to tackle hostel shortage through private sector partnership

The University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has announced plans to address its student accommodation deficit through partnerships with private investors, as it graduated a total of 12,624 students during its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies in Abuja.

The convocation ceremonies, which began on April 10, are scheduled to conclude on April 18, 2026.

At a ceremony held on Friday, the university’s Governing Council called on corporate organisations and private sector players to invest in hostel development, describing the current shortage as critical and unsustainable amid rising student enrolment.

The Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, disclosed that 7,158 students from the 2022/2023 academic session graduated during the 29th convocation, including 48 first-class degree holders.

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For the 30th convocation, covering the 2023/2024 session, 5,466 students graduated, with 29 earning first-class honours.

He emphasised that, beyond academic excellence, the institution is committed to producing graduates of strong character and resilience.

“Your certificates may open doors, but it is your character, discipline, integrity, and steadfastness that will determine how far you go,” Fawehinmi said.

The university also revealed that 4,573 postgraduate students from the 2024–2026 academic set are expected to graduate at a subsequent ceremony.

In his remarks, the Chancellor, Rilwanu Adamu, described the convocation as a celebration of knowledge and achievement, noting that the institution’s location in Abuja presents vast opportunities for collaboration with government agencies and international organisations.

However, he acknowledged mounting infrastructure challenges, particularly in student housing.

Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Olanrewaju Tejuoso, stressed the urgency of expanding accommodation facilities, warning that existing infrastructure has not kept pace with student population growth.

“A hostel is more than a building; it is a foundation for learning and dignity,” he said, urging investors to support development efforts.

Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for renaming the university in his honour and called on the institution’s leadership to maintain high academic and administrative standards.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted ongoing projects, including new research facilities, expanded science laboratories, a recently completed Senate chamber, and a central research laboratory administrative building.

He added that the university is among six institutions selected to benefit from a ₦4 billion 2026 Special Intervention Programme.

The overall best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session, Oyine James of the Department of Chemical Engineering, attributed her success to discipline and goal-setting.