Sokoto gov rewards best graduating student with 2026 Hajj sponsorship

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has awarded the overall best-graduating student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sherif Abdullahi, a fully funded trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Aliyu made the announcement on Saturday during the institution’s 42nd convocation ceremony, held at its main campus.

The governor, an alumnus of UDUS, said the gesture was in recognition of Abdullahi’s academic excellence. The graduate of Microbiology finished with a 4.92 Cumulative Grade Point Average, which the governor described as “one of the highest.

“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.

He also highlighted his administration’s investments in education, including settling N1.845 billion in accumulated tuition fees for Sokoto medical students at home and abroad, appointing four UDUS professors to head key education sectors in the state, and renovating primary, secondary, and tertiary schools.

Vice Chancellor of UDUS, Bashir Garba, praised the Federal Government’s reforms in the education sector.

“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,” Garba said.

The convocation attracted dignitaries, including representatives of President Bola Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Oba of Lagos (Chancellor of the University), members of the National Assembly, diplomats, traditional rulers, senior academics and alumni.

Three individuals received honorary awards: former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruku Yahaya (retd), who was conferred with Doctor of Science; Islamic scholar, Sheikh Aminu Durawa, with Doctor of Letters; and Professor Dejo Abdulrahman, who was named Emeritus Professor in recognition of his service to the institution.