Bingham University graduates 1,895 students, 71 bag First Class degrees

By Blessing Ibegbu

Seventy-one students bagged First-Class degrees as 1,895 graduated from Bingham University, Karu, for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Prof. Ayuba Haruna, Vice-Chancellor, disclosed this at the seventh convocation ceremony of the institution on Saturday.

He highlighted the university’s achievements in academics, infrastructural development and contributions to knowledge and national development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convocation was themed “Faith, Excellence and Impact: Building the Future Through Innovation and Service.”

According to him, the graduating students comprised 1,315 undergraduates and 580 postgraduate students.

Ayuba said the undergraduate category included 71 First Class, 472 Second Class Upper Division and 337 Second Class Lower Division graduates.

He added that there were 66 Third Class and two Pass graduates in the undergraduate category.

“367 graduates, comprising students of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes, fall under the unclassified category.

“The postgraduate category comprises 59 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, 206 Academic Master’s degree holders, 219 Professional Master’s degree holders and 96 Postgraduate Diploma recipients,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said the university remained committed to its founding mission of producing graduates equipped with knowledge and skills for self-reliance and the fear of God.

He noted that the institution had sustained its infrastructure development drive through the support of its management, Governing Council and Board of Trustees.

He added that the university had fenced 3.18 kilometres of its land and constructed an 800-capacity Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre.

He said the university also purchased and installed 190 additional solar lights to illuminate the Karu campus.

Speaking on academic development, Ayuba said seven undergraduate programmes had undergone accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in October and November 2025.

The vice-chancellor said graduates of various programmes had also been inducted and licensed by their respective professional regulatory bodies.

“83 graduates of Medical Laboratory Science were inducted by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, while 76 Nursing graduates were inducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

“33 graduates of the College of Medical Sciences were inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria at the Jos campus, while 74 MBBS graduates were also inducted by the council.

“Two pioneer graduates of Optometry were inducted at the council’s office, while another 137 graduates were inducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria,” he said.

Ayuba said that the university’s Zankli Research Centre had secured additional research funding from the Gates Foundation in 2026.

He said the centre attracted a grant of 672,877 dollars and supplementary funding of 768,433 dollars for a research project.

He said the project was entitled “Impact Evaluation of Near Point of Care TB Diagnosis in Nigeria” and will run from July 2026 to December 2027.

On staff welfare, the vice-chancellor said the Governing Council had approved an increment in staff salaries with effect from Nov. 1, 2026.

He said the adjustment was based on the adoption of the 2025 Federal Government salary structure relating to the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure.

Ayuba said the university had subsidised tuition fees for 779 beneficiaries across various categories of ECWA members.

He listed the beneficiaries as university staff, ECWA executives, pastors, members and indigent students.

He added that the management had also contributed five million naira to the ECWA Education Department as part of its corporate social responsibility for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Ayuba said the university had continued to promote academic culture through inaugural lectures, adding that it recorded five additional inaugural lectures in 2026.

He said the university also held its third public lecture and second valedictory lecture in 2026.

The vice-chancellor also announced the establishment of a university-wide, peer-reviewed academic journal, The Bingham Journal (TBJ).

He said the journal was established in collaboration with the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Ayuba said the university’s consultancy unit had purchased three tricycles, while Bingham University Ventures Limited acquired four shuttle buses.

He said the acquisition was to improve campus transportation and student services.

He commended individuals and organisations that had supported the university through financial and material donations.

Bingham VC acknowledged the Governors of Nasarawa and Plateau States, Abdullahi Sule and Caleb Mutfwang, respectively.

He also acknowledged the National Building and Road Research Institute, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Zenith Bank and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, among others.

Ayuba said the university’s Green and Clean Campus initiative had also contributed to creating a serene and conducive learning environment.

He said the initiative achieved this through campus beautification and improved sanitation.

Dr Peter Abdu, Special Guest of Honour, commended the current management for the transformation recorded by the institution.

Abdu had previously served as Chairman of the university’s Governing Council.

He said his previous involvement in the university’s administration had provided him with the opportunity to witness its development.9k

He expressed satisfaction with the progress made under the current leadership.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Chairman of the Governing Council, the Board of Trustees chaired by Dr Job Mallam and members of the university community.

He congratulated the graduands, parents, guardians and families for choosing the institution.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of ECWA Worldwide, Rev. Job Mallam, expressed gratitude to God for the successful convocation ceremony.

Mallam described the occasion as memorable for the graduands, their families and everyone who had contributed to the growth of the institution.

He wished the university continued growth and success and a memorable convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, some of the graduands who spoke with NAN said they ascribed all the glory to God for making it possible for them to graduate.

Mrs Cynthia Frederick, Best Graduating Student of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, expressed excitement for a dream come true.

According to her, Nursing was her second degree after 10 years and the milestone gave her immense and unending excitement.

She urged prospective nursing students to work harder and see nursing as a call to serve humanity.

Another graduand, Mr Emmanuel Balami, an accountant, said he felt so accomplished because four years was not a piece of cake.

He said, “After countless sleepless nights and staying determined to study Till Day Break (TDB) so I can graduate successfully, God finally did it for me.”

Mrs Anya Balami, a parent, said she was happy to see her youngest son graduate, adding that the ceremony was a remarkable one. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah