The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo State, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, held it maiden convocation ceremony.
DrumAfricanews reports that the UAES is among the four state owned universities in Imo which includes the Imo State University, (IMSU), Owerri, Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Ogboko, and the University of Innovation Science and Technology (UIST) Omuma.
Delivering the maiden convocation lecture on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the 500-Capacity Hall, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. (Dr.) Sonny S. T. Echono, challenged the university to position itself as a leading centre of agricultural innovation, environmental sustainability and national development through research, technological advancement and effective knowledge transfer.
Echono, in the lecture delivered under the theme, “Reimagining University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences as an Engine of Innovation and Sustainability: Agricultural Research and National Development,” described UAES as a uniquely positioned specialised university with the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s agricultural, environmental and socio-economic development.
He challenged the University to move beyond conventional approaches to teaching and research and develop into a dynamic institution capable of producing work-ready graduates, generating practical solutions to national challenges and translating knowledge into measurable societal impact.
The event was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu; Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor U. U. Chukwumaeze; former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Hayward B. Mafuyai, who represented the Guest Lecturer; members of the University’s Governing Council; principal officers; Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments; senior academics; government representatives; graduands and members of the press.
Prior to the convocation lecture, UAES on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, held a Pre-convocation press conference at the senate chambers of the administrative building, ahead of its maiden convocation ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Chiedozie Eze, provided an opportunity for the university to brief members of the media and the public on its growth, achievements and milestones since its establishment by law on February 6, 2019, and the commencement of academic activities on May 6, 2021.
In his briefing, Professor Eze highlighted the University’s progress in student enrolment, academic development, accreditation, research and innovation, infrastructure and staff development, describing UAES as a specialised, agriculture- and environment-anchored institution with a broad mandate spanning “soil to science to enterprise.”
A major highlight of the briefing was the disclosure that 505 students from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions will be graduating at the forthcoming convocation.
The graduates comprise 115 students from 14 departments in the 2024/2025 session and 390 students from 24 departments in the 2025/2026 session. Twenty of the graduates attained First Class honours.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced the overall best graduating students for the two sessions: Miss Alfred Ugochi Juliet of the department of Business Administration, with a CGPA of 4.92 for the 2024/2025 session, and Mr. Oji Shedrach Ozeum of the department of Marketing, with a CGPA of 4.90 for the 2025/2026 session.
Professor Eze described the graduation of the two sets as the University’s “Pioneer Harvest,” noting that it represents a significant milestone for the young institution.
