Universities challenged to Capitalise on Innovations at the 73rd Graduation Ceremony

University of Nairobi Graduates 3,836 Students at 73rd Graduation Ceremony

The University of Nairobi (UoN) on Friday, 19th September, 2025  conferred 3,836 degrees and diplomas at its 73rd Graduation Ceremony held at the Chancellor’s Court under the theme “Empowering Futures for an Innovative and Technologically Driven World.”

This was the first graduation under the University’s newly inaugurated Council, marking the start of a new era of governance and transformation.

Presided over by Chancellor Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen,  Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, Council Chair Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha,  Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jesang Hutchinson, members of the Senate, faculty, alumni, partners, proud parents, and families from across Kenya and beyond.

This year’s graduands included 85 Doctor of Philosophy, 1 Fellowship, 461 Master’s, 3,029 Bachelor’s, 23 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 63 Diplomas — expanding UoN’s alumni network to more than 290,000 professionals who continue to shape Kenya’s and Africa’s future across the public, private, and civil society sectors.

Delivering his first address as Chair of the newly constituted University Council, Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha congratulated the Class of 2025 and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to steering the University with integrity, transparency, and foresight.

“Today is not just a milestone but a testament to resilience, innovation and hope,” Prof. Chacha said. “We challenge our graduands to find the courage to lead in uncertainty, to serve, to innovate, and to embody Ubuntu wherever they go. Our mandate as a Council is to steady and steer this University to fulfil its vision of transforming society through quality education, purposeful research and building the future of our nation.”

He reminded the graduands that their journey mirrors that of the University itself: overcoming challenges to remain a beacon of excellence.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson presented a strong report card of UoN’s achievements over the past year, underscoring its leadership in research, innovation and partnerships:

• KSh 5.4 billion competitively attracted in research funding – the highest in UoN history, up from KSh 4.6 billion the previous year.
• KSh 198 million generated by Income Generating Units.
• 216 new partnerships signed to strengthen the academic-research nexus.
• Establishment of the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovations Centre at Upper Kabete Campus, launched by H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto.
• Recognition by the Kenya National Innovation Agency for nurturing student-led innovation hubs.
• 152 students and 87 staff participated in international exchanges across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
• Hosting Finnish President H.E. Prof. Alexander Stubb at Taifa Hall for a landmark public lecture on “Geopolitics and the Transformation of the Multilateral Order.”

“We have deliberately reimagined education to equip learners with entrepreneurship, digital, and critical thinking skills. Today we release into society professionals ready to drive Kenya’s Vision 2030, Africa’s Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

Delivering her address on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala lauded the University for its leadership in research and innovation and called on the graduands to embody integrity and service in their careers:

“Graduation is more than an academic tradition or rite of passage. It signifies new beginnings, new opportunities and new challenges,” she said. “As you leave these gates, carry with you not just knowledge but the values of integrity and service. The Ministry of Education counts on you to transform communities, drive Kenya’s Vision 2030, and uplift the continent.”

She reaffirmed Government’s continued support to higher education, urging alumni to give back to their alma mater.

The ceremony celebrated UoN’s culture of impact-driven research through student innovators:

• Maryline and Markline Akinyi, twin sisters from Kisumu, created a puffed millet superfood to fight malnutrition.
• Akpoko Burume, from the DRC, pioneered high-energy biscuits soon to be mass-produced in Thika.
• Mutinda George developed “Matrack,” an app revolutionizing Nairobi’s public transport.
• Erick Ogolla designed “BlinknPay,” an inclusive digital payment system faster than M-Pesa.
• Samuel Muchoki innovated a smart nano-fertilizer to boost yields and heal soils.

The University also celebrated the graduation of Mr. Felix Koskei, Kenya’s Head of Public Service, who earned his Master’s degree at UoN, underscoring the institution’s role as a bridge between learning and national service.

This year’s valedictorian, Joy Mwaniki, delivered an inspiring address calling on her peers to embrace resilience, innovation, and ethical leadership.She urged her fellow graduands to: “carry forward the University of Nairobi spirit — of service, creativity, and courage into every space you step into.” 

In his keynote address, Chancellor Prof. Verkooijeen placed the day in a global context: “We live in a new world order,” he said. “From shifting alliances to escalating climate shocks, from digital disruption to geopolitical turmoil, the rules of engagement are being re-written. The sooner we wake up to this reality, the sooner we prosper in it.”

He urged the graduates to merge the social with the entrepreneurial, to connect academia with enterprise, and to be the talent powering Kenya’s Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones not watching from the outside but leading from the inside.

“Kenya’s youth cannot afford to stand at the margins of opportunity. You must be at the centre of it leading from the inside, not watching from the outside,” the Chancellor urged.

The Chancellor challenged the Class of 2025 to become the driving force of Kenya’s transformation. He reminded them that the University of Nairobi has set out a “Big 5” agenda to double health and medical innovations, nurture and champion homegrown leadership, export Kenyan artificial intelligence from Nairobi to the world, drive innovation from classrooms into companies and markets, and create the next generation of digital and green jobs.

“This is how we reclaim the University of Nairobi’s place,” he said. “Not only as Africa’s greatest university but as one of the greatest in the world.”

Ending on a note of empowerment, he told the Class of 2025 that their own stories of courage and creativity from millet superfoods to nano-fertilizers prove that Kenya’s future is already here.

“Because you, students and graduands, Class of 2025, are unstoppable,” he said. “Go forth empowered. Go forth innovative. Go forth resilient. Shape a Kenya that is united, prosperous, and unstoppable.

With more than 13,000 new students admitted this year including those from Koitaleel Samoei and Nyandarua University Colleges the University of Nairobi continues to stand as a beacon of hope, transformation, and excellence in Kenya and across Africa.

Watch the  73rd Graduation Ceremony