Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja, has officially matriculated over 8,000 students into its various academic faculties for the 2025/2026 session, marking a significant expansion of its scholar community. At a high profile matriculation ceremony held yesterday, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, delivered a decisive charge to the new intake, emphasizing that the privilege of admission carries with it a profound responsibility to uphold institutional discipline and pursue unrelenting academic excellence.
Describing the event as a pivotal milestone, Prof. Fawehinmi noted that the matriculation serves as a formal reaffirmation of the university’s core mandate: to foster national integration and drive high level intellectual development. He revealed the high stakes of this year’s admissions cycle, disclosing that from a massive pool of over 30,000 applicants, only slightly more than 8,000 candidates were successfully admitted. This selective process, according to the Vice Chancellor, was necessitated by strict capacity constraints and the institution’s unwavering commitment to maintaining world class academic standards and a sustainable student to resource ratio.
Addressing the students directly, the Vice Chancellor reminded the new cohorts that their transition into the university community brings their personal conduct under the lens of public scrutiny. He noted that as integral members of a reputable institution of higher learning, students are expected to mirror the values of the university in every interaction. He further issued a stern warning regarding the university's "zero tolerance" policy toward all forms of social vices. Prof. Fawehinmi explicitly stated that the administration will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against acts of cultism, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, drug abuse, or any form of unruly and anti-social behavior, underscoring that ignorance of the university’s statutes will never be accepted as a valid defense.
In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor encouraged the students to view the university’s diverse environment as an asset. He urged them to cultivate a culture of mutual respect, engage proactively with their lecturers and mentors, and utilize the full spectrum of academic and welfare services provided by the institution to ensure a holistic and successful educational journey.
