The University of Port Harcourt will convoke 8,156 graduands at its 36th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for June 5 and 6, including 120 students who earned first-class degrees across various disciplines.

Vice Chancellor Professor Owunari Georgewill disclosed the breakdown of degrees to be awarded: 5,822 first-degree recipients, 510 postgraduate diploma holders, 1,386 master’s degree graduates, and 438 doctoral candidates.

Georgewill, who noted that his tenure would end later in the month, said the university had grown over its 51-year history from a college established in 1975 to a federally designated university in 1979 and now to a recognizedcenter of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. He credited the growth to visionary leadership, consistent government support, and sustained pursuit of excellence.

He said federal government support through the Needs Assessment Intervention, TETFund, and capital project programs had enabled the renovation of existing structures, construction of new offices, the upgrade of learning environments, rehabilitation of student hostels, and the construction of lecture theatres and an innovation hub. He also noted that the university had received electric tricycles as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiatives, supporting its transition to clean energy on campus.

He acknowledged persistent challenges including land encroachment, accommodation shortages, insufficient staff quarters, inadequate internal roads and lighting, the need for a new central administration building, and incomplete perimeter fencing.