ESUT Matriculates 8, 696 New Students As VC Harps on Experiential Learning
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) on Friday held its 45th Matriculation Ceremony for newly admitted students in the 2025/2026 academic year with a total of 8696 students being offered admission into the 14 faculties and 78 programmes in the university.
Speaking with journalists to mark the auspicious occasion, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, congratulated the new intakes and said the institution’s newly established Innovation Hub will equip students with practical skills to become employers of labour after graduation.
He noted that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently increased the university’s admission quota to 8,755.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the Innovation Hub, supported by substantial investment from the management, is designed to provide hands-on training and certification in at least three vocational skills for every student. According to him, experiential learning has become a core pillar of scholarship in ESUT, with a new curriculum mandating first-year students to commence their degree projects from 100 level.
He said the initiative aligns with the university’s mission to produce globally competitive graduates capable of utilizing technology for societal development.
Prof. Okolie also highlighted ESUT’s 45-year history, tracing its establishment in 1980 as Anambra State University of Technology by the then civilian governor of old Anambra State, Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo. The institution was renamed ESUT in 1991 following the creation of Enugu State.
Reiterating the university’s commitment to discipline, the Vice Chancellor warned students against acts such as cultism, examination malpractice, impersonation, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct, stressing that violations could attract sanctions ranging from rustication to expulsion or prosecution.
He announced that from the 2025/2026 academic session, all examination results would be uploaded online to enhance transparency and credibility, marking the end of manual result processing. He urged students to complete payment of approved fees and registration within stipulated deadlines to maintain their status as bona fide students.
On academic excellence, Prof. Okolie disclosed that students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above would qualify for scholarships, allowing them to study tuition-free as long as they maintain the required grade.
The Vice Chancellor further commended the Governor of Enugu State and Visitor to the university, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for approving the perimeter fencing of the institution to strengthen campus security. He added that security personnel, including university security, Man-O-War, anti-drug agencies, and the police, are on 24-hour surveillance to ensure a safe learning environment.
He noted improvements in infrastructure, including the provision of solar-powered boreholes, improved electricity supply, renovation of hostels and classrooms, and plans for additional hostel construction.
Prof. Okolie encouraged students to participate in extracurricular activities, revealing that ESUT recently won 13 medals (eight gold, two silver, and three bronze ) at the NUGA Games held at the University of Jos.
He also urged students from their second year to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ease financial burdens on parents and guardians.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the matriculating students and advised them to uphold discipline, focus on academic excellence, and strive to positively impact society upon graduation.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Chike Nwoha, who conducted key personnel of the University on matriculation monitoring exercise across 14 faculties of the University, noted that the exercise was seamless.
Some of the matriculants, including the daughter of ESUT Registrar, Ebubechukwu Ugwu; and Favour Mmasichukwu, both of Law faculty, and Kenechukwu Goodluck of Computer Science, expressed happiness over their admission into ESUT and pledged to put in their best to graduate in flying colours.
