By Kelvin Obambon
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Offiong Effanga Offiong, has announced that the institution is set to graduate a total of 10,820 students during its upcoming 38th Convocation Ceremony.
Speaking during a press conference in Calabar on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to herald the commencement of the graduation ceremonies, Prof. Offiong, who assumed office as the 12th Vice Chancellor on December 1, 2025, declared that this milestone marks the first convocation under his leadership. He described the event as a “special moment” for the institution and a testament to its enduring commitment to academic excellence.
Providing a statistical breakdown of the 10,820 graduands, the Vice Chancellor revealed that the cohort includes 152 Diploma students, 9,173 First Degree holders, and 1,495 Postgraduates.
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Of the First Degree graduates, 52 achieved First Class honours, while 2,390 earned Second Class Upper Division. Additionally, 5,819 students secured Second Class Lower Division, 666 made Third Class, and 246 finished with a Pass. Furthermore, 463 candidates will be awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
“In this year’s convocation, we intend to graduate 10,820 students. It is indeed a special moment for me and I give God the glory,” Prof. Offiong stated.
The Vice Chancellor used the opportunity to reiterate his administration’s three-pillared vision: Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity. He pledged to rebrand the university by widening the scope of skills development and enthroning a culture of transparency.
Addressing perennial challenges that have previously dented the institution’s image, Prof. Offiong declared a “zero tolerance” policy for unethical practices, including admission racketeering, certificate forgery, and over-admission.
“We have begun with some preliminary measures to sanitize the admission process, as we have also stated in clear terms: ‘no more over-admissions’,” he warned. “The officer under whose watch the recklessness persisted is under disciplinary action.”
He also alerted the public to ongoing efforts to track syndicates printing fake certificates in computer centers, describing them as “avowed enemies” of the institution.
The 38th Convocation proceedings are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, April 7: Inter-denominational Service at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre (10 am), followed by a Research Fair and Exhibition at the Hogan Bassey Parking Lot (12 pm – 6 pm).
Wednesday, April 8: Meeting of Convocation at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre.
Thursday, April 9: Convocation Lecture titled “Redefining National Security in an era of Endemic Insecurity: The Role of Tertiary institutions” to be delivered by Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab (12 pm). This will be followed by a Command Performance at the Chinua Achebe Arts Theatre (6 pm).
Friday, April 10: Award of Diplomas, First Degrees, and Masters at the Abraham Ordia Stadium (10 am), followed by a Gala Night for Ph.D. graduands.
Saturday, April 11: Award of Ph.D. and Honorary Degrees, and the Launching of the Endowment Fund.
Sunday, April 12: Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul Catholic Church, UNICAL (10 am).
Prof. Offiong concluded by soliciting the support of the media and stakeholders in the “onerous but pivotal journey of repositioning this unique citadel of learning for greatness.”
“We are determined to commit our energy to confront these awful and damaging perennial practices that have undermined our prestigious institution,” he affirmed.
