Key Successes Highlighted at the 74th Graduation Ceremony

The University of Nairobi on December 11, 2025, held its 74th Graduation Ceremony at the Chancellor’s Court, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of 4,504 graduands.

During the ceremony, the university conferred 48 Doctorates, 905 master’s degrees, 3,416 bachelor’s degrees, 16 postgraduate diplomas, 14 fellowships, and 98 diplomas. This reaffirmed the University’s role as a leading institution in the training of skilled professionals for national and global development.

Presiding over the ceremony was the Chancellor, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, while the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba, who was the chief Guest, delivered the keynote address. The Cabinet Secretary congratulated the graduands on their perseverance and commended the University of Nairobi for its enduring contribution to national development through the training of highly skilled professionals.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the higher education sector and supporting universities in advancing quality, innovation and relevance. “The resolution of the recent industrial action was a victory and I reassure you that the government will release the remaining 7.9 billion in two allotments,” he added.

In his address, the Chancellor, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, underscored the urgency and importance of the University and the graduates to take a paradigm shift to innovation and scaling of innovation and entrepreneurship, “Class of 2025, your talent is your passport, your determination is your engine, your imagination is your compass,” he stated.

Addressing the Class of 2025, the Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof Margaret Hutchinson, congratulated the graduands on their resilience and achievement, urging them to use their education to drive innovation, ethical leadership and positive societal change. “As you step into the next chapter, remember that your education empowers you not to just succeed, but to transform your communities,” she said.

She also highlighted various achievements of the University, such as: revision of outdated curricula, the introduction of new programmes like MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship as a common course, alongside the launch of the University of Nairobi Innovation Hub. “The institution has attracted 88 research grants valued at KES 5.4 billion, with an additional KES 1.026 billion secured between July and November 2025,” she continued.

She further stated that the university had recorded over 1,000 research publications, some with impact factors exceeding 19, registered nine intellectual properties and signed more than 220 collaboration agreements, several of which are expected to evolve into high-impact strategic partnerships.

“These collaborations are playing a critical role in modernising university infrastructure, strengthening academic faculties and enriching the overall learning experience at the University of Nairobi and across Kenya,” emphasised Prof Hutchinson.

Held under the theme “Empowering Futures for an Innovative and Technologically Driven World,” the ceremony celebrated the university’s enduring legacy of excellence and its commitment to producing globally competitive graduates equipped to shape the future. As for the Class of 2025, the ceremony marked both a proud achievement and the promise of impact beyond the university gates.