Baze University, one of Nigeria’s foremost private universities, marked its 12th Convocation Ceremony with remarkable pomp and intellectual splendour at its main campus in Abuja. The event underscored the institution’s continued pursuit of academic excellence, innovation and inclusive education.
In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jamila Shu’ara reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and character development, describing Baze as a model of diversity and inclusivity in higher education. She congratulated the graduating class, urging them to become ambassadors of excellence and national development.
This year’s ceremony was historic, as the university graduated its first-ever cohort of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates. In total, 972 students received degrees, comprising 647 undergraduates, 33 postgraduate diploma holders, 276 master’s graduates, and 16 doctoral recipients.
Delivering the convocation address, President Julius Maada Bio commended Baze University for its remarkable contributions to knowledge and leadership, describing it as “where knowledge meets nationhood.” He expressed gratitude to the institution for naming its postgraduate school in his honour, the Julius Maada Bio Postgraduate School.
The Chancellor and Founder of Baze University, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD, conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree on the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The honour was received on his behalf by Senegal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Nicolas Auguste Nyouky, who conveyed the President’s appreciation and goodwill to the university community.
A special highlight of the event was a goodwill message from Mrs Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Chairperson of the occasion. Commending the institution’s vision, she urged graduates to live by the university’s motto, Learn to Live, saying, “Learning is not just about passing exams; it’s about preparing to live with purpose, courage and compassion.”
The ceremony also celebrated exceptional academic achievers. Mustapha Habib, from the Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, emerged as the Best Overall Graduating Student with a CGPA of 3.93 on a 4.0 scale. In the postgraduate category, Simon Efosa Ebhojaiye (LL.M, Law) and Loveth Abiere Ugele (M.Sc, International Relations and Diplomacy) both earned perfect CGPAs of 5.0, receiving the Best Master’s Graduate award.
The convocation attracted distinguished personalities, including His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of ECOWAS; United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs Amina J. Mohammed; Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Umar Radda; as well as ambassadors, envoys, royal fathers, heads of government agencies, military leaders, and captains of industry.