Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu
Bello University (ABU), Zaria on Saturday said
the institution has produced 305 Ph.D. holders
and 98 First Class degree holders for 2013/2014
academic session.
He stated this in an address at the 38th
convocation ceremony of the university held at
the main campus, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Garba said: "The Chancellor, Egwe, Nnaemeka
Alfred Ugochukwu will in today's convocation
ceremony, confer a total of 13,149 First Degrees
and 4,598 Higher Degrees and Diplomas to
deserving graduates for the 2013/2014 academic
session."
He gave the breakdown as follows; First Class,
89 persons, Second Class Upper, 2,086, Second
Class Lower, 7,108, Third Class, 3,161, Pass, 262
and 443 Unclassified Degrees.
According to him Higher Degrees and Diplomas
include; 305 Ph.Ds., 2,669 Masters of Arts and
Masters of Science and 1,624 Post Graduate
Diplomas.
Garba reminded the graduates that they have
been added to the list of alumni of the university
and should therefore see themselves as
members of the larger ABU family.
He said the university had continued to
discharge its mandate of teaching, research
innovation and community service diligently.
"The university had from its inception, continued
to train men and women without any distinction
on grounds of race, religion or political beliefs.
"It has remained the most national in character
in the Nigerian university system," he said.
He however lamented that the university with a
population of about 40,000 students has
accommodation for only 11,000 students on its
campus.
"It is important to note that the growth of
student population is not accompanied by any
addition of hostels in the last 35 years, while the
existing ones have been degraded over time."
The V-C said discussions were on with private
investors to build more hostels through public-
private partnership.
"A huge donation was yesterday pledged by
Alhaji Aliko Dangote to build 10 hostels for ABU.
This is unprecedented and has certainly come at
the right time," he said. (NAN)

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/education/abu-produces-89-first-class-305-ph-d-holders/131436.html