Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has rewarded Abdullahi Sherif, the overall best-graduating student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), with an all-expenses-paid trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday during the university’s 42nd convocation ceremony at the main campus. Abdullahi, who earned a 4.92 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from the Department of Microbiology, received the special Hajj gift in recognition of his outstanding academic performance.
Governor Aliyu, himself an alumnus of UDUS, praised the institution for its contributions to national and global development. He pledged stronger collaboration with the university in areas of skills development, educational reform, and innovation.
“This university has profoundly impacted lives both within Nigeria and beyond Africa. Its contributions to national and international development cannot be overestimated, and today’s graduates should be proud to be part of that legacy,” Aliyu said.
The governor also highlighted several education-driven initiatives under his administration, including clearing N1.845 billion in accumulated tuition fees for Sokoto medical students studying locally and abroad, appointing four UDUS professors to head key education sectors in the state, and launching renovation projects for schools at all levels across Sokoto.
Vice Chancellor Professor Bashir Garba, in his address, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education policies, describing them as transformative and beneficial to Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
“The Tinubu administration’s commitment to revitalising public universities has already begun to yield positive results. From improved funding frameworks to policy reforms aimed at enhancing academic quality and institutional autonomy, this dispensation is laying a stronger foundation for sustainable growth in higher education,” the VC said.
The convocation attracted dignitaries, including representatives of President Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Oba of Lagos (who is also the Chancellor of the university), members of the National Assembly, diplomats, traditional rulers, senior academics, and alumni.
Three distinguished personalities were honored at the event: former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Faruku Yahaya (retd), who received a Doctor of Science; renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Aminu Durawa, awarded Doctor of Letters; and Professor Dejo Abdulrahman, conferred with the title of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his service to the institution.
