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On Tuesday the 11th of November, 2025, the Claretian University of Nigeria, Maryland Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, officially began her week-long activities to celebrate her maiden Convocation. 

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Very Rev. Fr. Professor Wence Madu held a Press Conference at the Senate Chambers. Accompanied by the Principal Officers and other top Management Staff of the faith-based Catholic University, the VC went down memory lane to reel out the initial desire of the Claretian Missionaries of Nigeria to pursue education as one of its core apostolates, which dates back to 1978, when the Claretian formation house in Maryland Nekede, was christined Claretian house of Studies by the late Fr. Christian Ihedoro.

According to the VC, the Congregation has since then pursued education through the establishment of the Claretian Institute of Philosophy and now the Claretian University. Founded in the year 2021, the young University has vigorously pursued both academic excellence embedded in teaching and research, and also a holistic human formation for her students.

Answering questions from the gentlemen of the Press, the Vice Chancellor noted that CUN will be graduating about sixty-five students on Saturday, with six first class graduates from different disciplines. He further explained that the University began with about seventy students at inception in 2021, with seven accredited courses. Now, the Institution has about one thousand students with over fifteen accredited courses, including Nursing Science, Doctor of Physiotherapy, Public Health, amongst others. The University equally plans to introduce more courses like Law, Medicine, and so on.

The academic Don equally mentioned some of the challenges facing the institution, especially the need for more hostel accommodations. Although, this is being tackled, the University still welcomes partnerships that will bring this to a speedy realisation.

The day ended with a cultural event at the University, where students displayed their different ethnic/cultural attires, dances, and cuisine.

The week-long Convocation Ceremony will come to a climax on Saturday, the 15th of November 2025, with the award of degrees to the graduands. The event will officially end on Sunday the 16th of November, 2025 with a concelebrated high Mass to be presided by His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese and President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria.

Mark Irechukwu,
Public Relations Unit, CUN.