The University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has honoured Abasifreke Iyakndue Nkanang, a Computer Engineering graduate who emerged as the institution’s overall best graduating student with an exceptional Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91. Nkanang received recognition during the university’s 31st and 32nd combined convocation ceremonies, held from November 12 to 14, 2026, at the university’s main campus along Nwaniba Road in Uyo. His achievement attracted praise from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Nyong Ekong, who described his academic performance as a reflection of discipline, hard work and commitment to excellence.
University of Uyo’s 2026 convocation, where Computer Engineering graduate Abasifreke Nkanang was recognised for his 4.91 CGPA.
Nkanang distinguished himself among thousands of students graduating from the university across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions. His accomplishment followed five years of undergraduate study in Computer Engineering, a discipline involving mathematics, electronics, programming and computer systems. The graduate attributed his success to setting clear academic goals from the beginning of his university education and maintaining focus throughout his studies. His recognition placed him at the centre of a convocation celebrating individual excellence and the achievements of students across numerous academic programmes.
Speaking during the ceremony on Thursday, November 12, Professor Ekong commended the outstanding graduate and encouraged other students to draw inspiration from his determination. The Vice-Chancellor described Nkanang’s performance as evidence of what sustained academic commitment can achieve. He also urged graduating students to become responsible ambassadors of the institution and apply their knowledge to addressing challenges facing society. His remarks formed part of a broader message encouraging graduates to pursue entrepreneurship, innovation and productive careers rather than depending entirely on conventional employment opportunities.
The entrance to the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Official figures released by the university showed that 22,961 students were listed for graduation during the combined ceremonies. The figure included 19,217 first-degree recipients, 814 diploma graduands, 248 certificate recipients and 2,682 postgraduate graduands. Among those receiving bachelor’s degrees, 214 earned First Class Honours, 7,216 obtained Second Class Upper Division, while 10,468 graduated with Second Class Lower Division. Another 917 received Third Class degrees, and 402 obtained Pass degrees. The figures highlighted the scale of the ceremony and the range of academic performances recorded across the two graduating sessions.
For Nkanang and his family, the recognition represented the reward for years of educational commitment and personal sacrifice. Speaking after the convocation, he encouraged students to establish meaningful academic targets early in their studies and pursue them consistently. His father, Mr Nkanang, also urged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education and welfare rather than leaving their academic development entirely to teachers and institutions. Their reactions reflected the importance of family encouragement in supporting students through the financial, emotional and intellectual demands of university education.
Graduates and academic staff of the University of Uyo’s Department of Chemistry celebrate academic achievement.
The celebration came two years after the university’s 29th and 30th combined convocation in November 2024, when 12,450 students graduated, including 174 who earned First Class Honours. The latest combined ceremony recorded 10,511 more graduands, representing an increase of approximately 84.4 per cent. The number of First Class graduates also increased by 40. Although these figures demonstrate the expanding scale of the institution’s graduation exercises, they cover different academic sessions and do not necessarily indicate a corresponding increase in annual enrolment. The historical comparison provides important context for understanding the university’s latest academic milestone and continuing efforts to improve its administrative processes.
Nkanang’s success also highlighted the contribution of corporate educational support to student achievement in Akwa Ibom State. The graduate disclosed that he benefited from a scholarship provided by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, an energy company with offshore operations in the state. The company’s Head of Community Relations, Dr Uwem Ite, expressed satisfaction with his accomplishment and explained that the scholarship programme was designed to support university students. The financial assistance, according to Ite, helped Nkanang concentrate on his education. His experience illustrates how sustained scholarship funding can reduce financial difficulties and create opportunities for academically talented students.
University of Uyo graduands at the institution’s 2024 combined convocation, when 174 students earned First Class Honours.
Beyond the celebration, the convocation raised broader questions about how Nigerian universities can translate academic excellence into meaningful professional opportunities. Engineering graduates are entering an economy where technical expertise, innovation and entrepreneurship are increasingly important, yet access to employment, research funding and advanced technological facilities remains a significant consideration. Professor Ekong acknowledged the need for institutional improvements, identifying infrastructure development, academic efficiency, research partnerships and stronger university administration among his priorities. He also pledged that future convocations under his leadership would cover individual academic sessions rather than combining multiple graduating sets.
The university further demonstrated its commitment to recognising academic achievement by increasing financial prizes for exceptional graduates. Professor Ekong raised the Vice-Chancellor’s award for the overall best graduating student from ₦30,000 to ₦500,000, while prizes for other outstanding students increased from ₦10,000 to ₦300,000. Nkanang became the first recipient of the revised top award. He also received a reported ₦2.5 million from Wema Bank and ₦300,000 from the university’s Chancellor, bringing his total financial recognition to ₦3.3 million. The development added a substantial financial reward to an achievement already distinguished by exceptional academic performance.
Academic dignitaries and guests at an earlier University of Uyo convocation ceremony. Archival photograph illustrating the institution’s tradition of honouring distinguished achievers.
As the University of Uyo celebrates Nkanang and hundreds of other high-performing graduates, attention now turns to the opportunities awaiting them beyond the university environment. His remarkable CGPA demonstrates the value of disciplined study, while his family’s encouragement and corporate scholarship support highlight the combined contributions needed to nurture educational excellence. For UNIUYO, the recognition provides an opportunity to reinforce its reputation for academic achievement and strengthen its commitment to producing graduates capable of contributing to national development. For younger students across Akwa Ibom State and beyond, Nkanang’s accomplishment offers a practical example of how clear goals, sustained effort and access to educational support can create a pathway to exceptional success.
