Sokoto State University Graduates 6,000 Students, Produces 42 First Class Honours
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Sokoto State University (SSU) has graduated 6,000 students, including 42 First Class graduates, during its 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony held in Sokoto.
The ceremony attended by graduates from the 4th to the 8th academic sessions after a seven-year break, celebrated thousands of students across the university’s five faculties of Arts, Computing, Sciences, Social and Management Sciences, and Education.
Speaking at the event, the Visitor to the University and Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, described the convocation as a landmark achievement in the institution’s history and a celebration of academic excellence.
He congratulated the graduates, describing their success as the result of hard work, resilience and discipline. He also acknowledged the contributions of parents, guardians, lecturers and other stakeholders who supported the students throughout their academic journey.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education through its 9 Point Smart Innovative Agenda, noting that investments in the sector remain a top priority.
According to him, the government has continued to improve educational institutions through infrastructure development, staff welfare, research support, enhanced learning facilities and regular financial assistance.
Aliyu said his administration inherited a university facing infrastructural decay and unpaid staff entitlements but had since embarked on major interventions to restore the institution.
These include the payment of salary arrears and allowances owed to visiting and sabbatical lecturers, settlement of earned allowances for academic and non-academic staff, implementation of a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, renovation of staff quarters, construction of a modern sports complex and the automatic employment of First Class graduates.
He assured the university community that his administration would sustain efforts aimed at improving the quality of teaching, learning and research.
The Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Dutse, pledged to build on the legacy of his predecessor and work towards making the institution one of the nation’s leading universities.
Also speaking, the Pro Chancellor, Ambassador Abubakar Muhammad Sani, commended the Sokoto State Government for its continued investment in tertiary education.
Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Isa Muhammad Maishanu, described education as the most effective tool for national development and praised the governor for placing the sector at the centre of his administration’s policies.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Bello Yarima, appreciated the state government’s unwavering support, revealing that the university has submitted 22 new academic programmes to the National Universities Commission NUC for approval.
He further disclosed that four indigenes of Sokoto State who graduated with First Class honours had already been employed by the university under the state’s automatic employment policy.
As part of the ceremony, honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on former Governor of old Sokoto State, Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim; Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo; and former Chief Finance Officer of NNPCL Ltd, Alhaji Umaru Ajiya, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development.
The convocation attracted several prominent personalities, including the founder of the university, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of State for Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo, traditional rulers and other distinguished guests from across Nigeria.
