Sokoto State University Ends Years of Convocation Delay, Promises Instant Certificate Collection
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Sokoto State University (SSU) has announced plans to end its longstanding convocation backlog, with graduates participating in the institution’s combined 4th to 8th Convocation Ceremony set to receive their certificates immediately after the event.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Bello Yarima, made the announcement on Monday during a pre-convocation media briefing, describing the move as a major step towards restoring the university’s academic calendar and addressing challenges faced by graduates who have waited years for their certificates.
According to him, the university inherited a backlog of convocation ceremonies, with the last one held for the 2019/2020 academic session before his administration took office.
“Convocation is an essential part of university tradition and should be held every year. When I assumed office, I discovered that several graduating sets had completed their studies without a convocation ceremony or certificates. We considered this unacceptable and resolved to clear the backlog once and for all” he said.
Professor Yarima explained that the absence of convocation ceremonies had prevented many graduates from obtaining their certificates, as university regulations require certificates to be issued only after convocation.
He noted that the delay had created significant obstacles for graduates seeking employment and admission into postgraduate programmes within and outside Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor cited the case of a Political Science graduate who nearly lost admission to Queen’s University in the United Kingdom because he could not provide his degree certificate. He said the university intervened by verifying the student’s academic records and issuing an official confirmation letter, which enabled the student to retain the admission.
He added that similar verification requests are frequently received from institutions and government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yarima assured all eligible graduates that certificates have been produced and will be distributed immediately after the combined convocation ceremony.
He also revealed that the certificates are embedded with multiple security features and official seals to safeguard them against forgery and enhance their credibility internationally.
Commending members of staff for their commitment, the Vice-Chancellor said organising five convocation ceremonies simultaneously required enormous effort, adding that the success recorded so far reflected the dedication of the university community.
He also praised the Sokoto State Government for supporting the exercise, noting that Governor Ahmed Aliyu approved additional funding and facilitated the appointment of the university’s new Chancellor,HRH, Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, to ensure the ceremony followed established academic traditions.
Beyond the convocation, Yarima disclosed that the university is pursuing partnerships with foreign institutions through engagements with diplomatic missions, including the Turkish Embassy, to promote staff and student exchange programmes and expand international academic collaboration.
He expressed confidence in the university’s readiness for the event and invited parents, alumni, stakeholders and members of the public to participate in what he described as a historic combined convocation marking a new chapter for Sokoto State University.
