Tanzanian President Honoured as NSUK Graduates 25,000 at Silver Jubilee Convocation
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa
No fewer than 25,000 students graduated from Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) as the institution marked its Silver Jubilee with its 8th Convocation Ceremony held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Degrees were awarded across Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Postgraduate Diploma programmes, covering the 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
The milestone event, commemorating 25 years of academic excellence and institutional growth, attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, underscoring the university’s expanding role in education and national development.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, in recognition of her leadership and contributions to governance in Africa.
In her citation, the university described President Hassan as a trailblazer and reform-driven leader, noting her historic emergence as Tanzania’s first female president.
Her administration was commended for advancing transparency, accountability, and economic growth.
In her acceptance speech, President Hassan expressed gratitude for the honour and urged the institution to sustain its commitment to excellence and innovation.
“I am truly honoured by this recognition. I encourage this great to continue striving for excellence and innovation for the development of Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, highlighted the university’s growth, revealing that NSUK now boasts one college, two schools, 11 faculties, 18 centres, 12 institutes, and over 60 departments, offering 315 academic programmes.
She described the convocation as a statutory platform for showcasing graduates, assessing institutional stewardship, and rewarding excellence in both character and learning.
As part of the ceremony, the university signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Federal University Lokoja, Atiba University Oyo, and Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic Lafia to strengthen academic collaboration.
The Visitor to the University and Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, commissioned key projects including the Wadan Kawu NSUK Gate, a multipurpose hall, and newly constructed campus roads.
Other honorary awardees included Mahmood Amadu, who received a Doctor of Information Technology and Entrepreneurship for his contributions to innovation and youth empowerment across Africa.
In his remarks, Amadu announced a donation of ₦100,000 each to 82 first-class graduates, pledged to build a technology hub for the university, and offered employment opportunities to 50 outstanding students in the tech sector.
The convocation also featured goodwill messages from stakeholders, including the Governor of Sokoto State, who pledged ₦25 million to support the institution and expressed willingness to fund a ₦125 million project, subject to approval.
NSUK Set for Silver Jubilee, Plans Landmark Convocation to Honour Global Figures
Governor Sule further announced a reward of ₦500,000 each for the 82 first-class graduates to encourage academic excellence.
The Chancellor of the university, Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, and the Pro-Chancellor, Attahiru Jega, commended the institution’s achievements and called for sustained investment in academic and infrastructural development.
Key projects highlighted at the event included the installation of solar-powered boreholes, construction of a 4.5-kilometre road at the Lafia campus, renovation of student hostels, and the establishment of an ICT centre in Gudi by the National Information Technology Development Agency, alongside several TETFund-supported interventions.
The ceremony concluded with the formal induction of honorary awardees, presentation of graduates, and goodwill messages, reinforcing NSUK’s status as a fast-growing hub of academic excellence and innovation in Nigeria.
