By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi Umar Namadi of Jigawa state has restated his administration’s belief in education as the strongest weapon towards the development of the state.
The governor made this remark on Saturday while speaking at the 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony of Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, held at the university’s Convocation Arena.
“Education remains our most sustainable investment, and for any entity, there is no greater asset than its human resources,” he said.
The event brought together graduates from six academic sessions, covering 2018/2019 to 2024/2025, alongside the award of honorary doctorate degrees to some exceptional individuals.
For Namadi, the gathering was more than a routine academic event, describing it as yet another momentous achievement ever recorded in the evolution of this university since its establishment just over a decade ago.
“By all means, today’s occasion is very auspicious and dear to all of us, as we celebrate the graduation of six cohorts of first-degree graduates from 2018/2019 to 2024/2025 academic sessions and the award of honorary doctorate degrees to some deserving personalities. I most warmly rejoice with the members of the university community on this yet another historic and memorable occasion.”
He took time to acknowledge those who laid the foundation of the university and those who have sustained it over the years, noting that the progress recorded today is the result of steady effort, not chance.
Gov. Namadi while restarting his administration’s position that education remains the centre of governance, noted that allocations to the sector have consistently ranged between 26 and 30 percent of the state budget in recent years, with visible results across schools and tertiary institutions.
“This has translated into significant improvements in infrastructure, teaching and learning outcomes, and organisational environment, as well as pupils’ and students’ 5 enrolments with appreciable reduction in the number of out-of-school children in the state.
“It is also worthy of note that in an effort to improve technical and vocational education & training in the state, we have transformed eight senior secondary schools across the state into real centers of excellence with all the requisite teaching equipment and instructional materials.”
“To support the TVET Program beyond secondary levels, we have also begun the transformation and improvement of our College of Remedial and Advanced Studies based in Babura so it could absorb students from the Centres of Excellence for higher certificates in line with the National TVET Curriculum.”
He also spoke on efforts to widen access to higher education, as he confirmed that the state has taken over a private university in Majia, Taura Local Government Area, with plans underway to reshape it into a specialised institution focused on medical and allied health sciences under a public-private arrangement.
“Having completed all the necessary accreditation and formalities with the National Universities Commission, a bill is now before the state legislature seeking to transform the institution into a specialized university for medical and allied health sciences. It is also our intention to operate the university based on a public-private partnership.”
The governor outlined a number of projects currently in motion, which include a Faculty of Medicine, new student hostels, staff residences, a sabbatical lodge, a wetland research centre and a new convocation arena.
“Staying true to our commitment, not only have we resumed and completed these projects, but we have also embarked on fresh initiatives. We aspire to elevate SLUK to the status of a world-class institution, highly ranked both within Nigeria and internationally, In Shaa Allah,” the governor remarked.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the governor pointed to ongoing investments in utilities, staff development, and institutional reforms aimed at improving the overall learning environment.
He also drew attention to the establishment of the Wetland Research Centre, describing it as part of a broader response to environmental challenges in the state.
“The centre is expected to conduct scientific research, provide data for policy formulation, educate the public, and develop strategies for wetland restoration, carbon sequestration, and mitigating climate change.”
Addressing the graduating students directly, Governor Namadi reminded them of the journey they have completed, urging them to carry forward the values of integrity and dedication to service in all their life endeavours.
He assured continued government support for tertiary institutions across the state, with emphasis on partnerships, research, and innovation that can translate into real opportunities for young people and sustained development for the state.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Yakasai in his speech highlighted the remarkable achievements recorded by the institution since it’s establishment in 2013, noting that aside nurturing leaders who are making their remarkable contributions to the development of the state and the country at large, but spheres of human development.
At this Convocation, the University is graduating a total of 4,109 students across academic sessions adding that out of which 154 graduated with first class honours,1,326 second class upper division, 1,954 second class lower division, 649 third classes and 26 got pass degrees “, he said.
According to him, the University had recorded notable progress in expanding the academic programmes including the introduction of Post graduate studies, restructuring of school of preliminary studies (SPS), to school of preliminary and continuing Education (SPACE) and ongoing preparation of the takeoff of the collage of Medicine.
He attributed the steady progress being recorded by the institution, especially in infrastructure development to the commitment of the state governor Umar Namadi, citing among others a three block of 408 hostels for students being constructed at the instance of the governor who is the Visitor to the institution.
Apart from the support of the state government, Yakasai also acknowledged support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund) interventions, other federal agencies, internally generated revenues as well as other development partners.
He described the major challenges facing the institution as staffing, noting that with the growing population of students population, there was the need to increase the proportional staffing to meet such demands.
For instance, he said out of the staff population of 9000 staff, only 600 were academic staff, a situation he described as grossly inadequate and needed to be improved upon.
But he stressed the need for the recruitment of more academic staff, inviiew of the expanding academic activities in the university.
Highlights of the event included the installation and conferrment of the university’s honorary degree on the Emir of Katagum in Bauchi State, Alhaji Umar Faruk II as the second Chancellor of the institution.
Besides, two other eminent personalities who were conferred with honorary degrees of the institution included Mr. Hamdi El-Sayyid Abdou, Country Director of Qatar Charity Nigeria Office; and Mr. Hisham Mohammed Abdusalam, Executive Director of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Office in Nigeria.
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