Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), is celebrating its 50th anniversary together with its 42nd convocation ceremony. The golden jubilee marks five decades of academic excellence, while also honouring notable Nigerians who have greatly contributed to education, peace, and national development.
At a press briefing on Monday, September 1, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bashiru Garba, said the jubilee is a historic moment in the life of the university. He explained that the institution was founded in 1975 as the University of Sokoto and was renamed in 1988 after the great Islamic scholar, Sheikh Usmanu Bin Fodiyo.
“Today, we are not just marking 50 years. We are celebrating resilience, progress, and a common goal. This golden jubilee reminds us of our past with gratitude, while giving us courage to shape the future of higher education in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Prof. Garba recalled that the university started academic activities in 1977 with only 93 undergraduates and 102 pre-degree students across four faculties. Nearly fifty years later, the school has grown to 16 faculties, 98 academic departments, 16 research centres, more than 23,000 students, and over 3,000 staff.
“What began on a small scale has become a centre of knowledge with national and international influence,” the Vice Chancellor said, stressing that the university’s history is one of transformation as well as growth.
This year’s convocation will see 4,024 students graduate with degrees, diplomas, and certificates. These include 120 PhDs, 323 Master’s, 20 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 3,561 Bachelor’s degrees. Among the Bachelor’s graduates, 119 achieved First Class honours.
The university will also confer honorary degrees on two respected Nigerians: Sheikh Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, an Islamic scholar and peace advocate, and Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Rtd.), former Chief of Army Staff. In addition, Prof. Dejo Abdulrahman will be named an Emeritus Professor.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the week-long jubilee programme will include cultural displays, academic discussions, medical outreach to communities, a novelty football match between alumni and students, commissioning of new projects, and public lectures, including one on the role of women in university development.
The celebration will end on Saturday with the convocation ceremony itself. This will feature the award of degrees, presentation of prizes, and conferment of honorary awards.
As part of the jubilee, UDUS has renamed several buildings in honour of pioneer leaders and personalities who supported its growth. Among them are the Mahdi Adamu Auditorium, the S.A.S. Galadanchi Campus, the Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Convocation Arena, and the A.A. Gwandu Central Mosque.
Prof. Garba assured that the university will continue to uphold its legacy of scholarship, service, and innovation.
“As we celebrate 50 years of academic service, we look to the future with determination to train men and women of vision, discipline, and excellence who will keep making a positive impact on society,” he said.
