University of Abuja Awards Automatic Employment to 77 First Class Graduates at Combined Convocation

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has dominated national headlines following the announcement of automatic job offers for its top-performing students. During the combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held between April 13 and 14, 2026, the university management confirmed that 77 students who bagged first-class degrees would be integrated into the institution’s workforce.

Recognition of Academic Excellence

The Vice-Chancellor, while addressing the graduands, emphasized that the decision to hire the first-class stars is part of a broader strategy to retain the best brains within the university system. Out of the thousands of graduating students across various faculties, these 77 individuals were singled out for their consistent academic rigor and exceptional performance.

The announcement has triggered a wave of “First Class Fever” across Nigerian social media, with many hailing the move as a necessary incentive for academic hard work at a time when graduate unemployment remains a concern.

Breakdown of the Graduating Class

The convocation covered two academic sessions, clearing a backlog of graduates ready for the labor market. Beyond the 77 first-class honors, the university also awarded degrees to thousands of students in the second-class upper, second-class lower, and third-class categories.

The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished Nigerians who have contributed to national development, further elevating the profile of the event held at the university’s main campus.

A Shift in Institutional Policy

This move by the University of Abuja marks a significant shift in how Nigerian federal universities reward excellence. By offering automatic employment, the institution is not only filling its internal vacancy needs with proven talent but also providing an immediate career path for its most dedicated students.