Owerri, Nigeria. The Claretian University of Nigeria (CUN), Maryland Nekede, marked a historic milestone with its first-ever convocation ceremony held from November 11 to 16, 2025. The week-long celebration reflected the university’s rapid growth since its founding in 2021 and its commitment to academic excellence and holistic formation. It was a day of testimony and gratitude to God for the Claretian Missionaries of East Nigeria Province.
The event marking this beautiful history making celebration commenced with a press conference led by the Vice Chancellor, Fr. Prof. Wenceslaus Madu, CMF, who traced the university’s origins to the Claretian Missionaries’ educational mission, which began in 1978 with the Claretian House of Studies. This house grew, thanks to the initial and great effort of the late Fr. Christian Ihedoro, into the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nekede and gave grounds for other Claretian Schools until the birth of Claretian University of Nigeria in 2021. The VC laid out in his narration the initial desire of the Claretian Missionaries of Nigeria to pursue education as one of its core apostolates, stating that the Province and indeed the entire congregation has not been found wanting in this regard. He highlighted the university’s growth from 70 students and 7 accredited programs to over 1,000 students and more than 15 programs, including Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, and Public Health. The Vice Chancellor also announced plans to introduce Law and Medicine. The evening also features cultural displays by the students of the institution and other entertaining performances.
As part of the convocation activities, on Wednesday November 12, 2025, the Vice Chancellor paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness Eze Dr. Stephen Kemjika Agumanu IV, traditional ruler of Nekede Ancient Kingdom, the host community of the university. The monarch pledged continued peaceful coexistence between the university and its host community.
The convocation climaxed on Saturday, November 15, with the graduation of 65 pioneer students, including six who earned First Class Honours. The best graduating student, Rev. Sr. Mary Natalia Ene Agbochini, from the Computer Science department, delivered a moving valedictory speech, thanking the university for its moral, spiritual, and academic guidance.
Another major highlight was the investiture of Distinguished Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado, as Chancellor of the university. Senator Gyado has distinguished himself in the educational sector in the country and has received national honours for his great work in education. In his address, he expressed deep gratitude for the honour and praised the Claretian Missionaries for their commitment to education. He urged the graduates to uphold the values of discipline, integrity, and service, emphasizing that their education should be a tool for national transformation.
The event also featured the unveiling of a newly renovated university library, named after the late Rev. Fr. Prof. Chrysantus Ogbozo, CMF, and the formal inauguration of the CUN Alumni Association. Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Nwobi, CMF, Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, was introduced as Chairman of the Claretian University of Nigeria Education Foundation.
The closing thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, November 16, was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, Vicar-General of the Claretian Missionaries and Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of spiritual formation in higher education, urging students to embrace the Chaplaincy as a space for holistic development. The Claretian Missionaries turn out in great number for the occasion and among those present were: Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF – Vicar-General of the Claretian Missionaries and Chairman, Board of Trustees, CUN, Fr. Nathaniel Eke, CMF – Provincial Superior, Claretian Missionaries, East Nigeria Province, Fr. Prof. Wenceslaus Madu, CMF – Vice Chancellor, CUN, Fr. Professor John Ezenwakwo – CUN Registrar, Fr. Henry Oswuagwu, CMF – CUN bursar. There were also dignitaries from the civil society beginning with a representative of the Governor of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Imo State, Prof. Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria, Mr. Chris Mayaki, former Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Nigeria. The celebration also witnessed the presence of International partners from the United States and Brazil.
The convocation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a reaffirmation of Claretian University’s mission to shape morally grounded, intellectually sound leaders for Nigeria and beyond. It was a clear statement of the dream of the Claretian Missionaries to give young people a formidable future through education.
