Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, came alive with pomp and colour as the institution held its 14th Convocation Ceremony on 7 February 2026. Beyond being gathering of dignitaries and members of the university community for formal award of degrees, the university used the moment to showcase its academic worth in the fomitypublic statement of identity: a university positioning itself as a place where scholarship is tied to values, service, and measurable institutional growth. 

The ceremony featured the graduation of 2,682 students across seven faculties and 27 departments. Among them were 31 first class graduates "whose achievements reflect exceptional discipline consistency" as remarked by The voice chancellor of the university professor shehu Shehu Muhammad. You noted that each graduate embodies are unique journey marked by challenges and determination. You congratulated The graduate and used the opportunity to remind them that the society will judge them not only by the class of degree the hold but by the values they uphold and the impact they make on the society. 

Meanwhile, another defining moment of the convocation ceremony was the conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees on four distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to leadership, public service and national development. The honours where approved by the University Senate purely based on merit and institutional conviction. By the conferments the institution aligns itself with the lives of service, integrity and enduring impact which they represent individually and collectively. 

The awardees were Amb. Ahmed Rufa'i Abubakar, Sardaunan Katsina, who was awarded a Doctor of Political Science; Amb. Ali bin Ghanem who was awarded a Doctor of International Relations; late former Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was also awarded a Doctor of Political Science and the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D, who was awarded a Doctor of Public Administration. 

The Vice Chancellor especially acknowledged the contribution of the Visitor to the University, His Excellency the Executive Governor of the State for his sustained support, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, renewal of appointments of contract staff and invaluable guidance to the university. "Despite prevailing economic challenges, His Excellency has continued to accord to the university special attention and has remained responsive to our legitimate and recurring needs", Prof. Muhammad said.

He also used the occasion to appeal to the government for further support in the area of staff recruitment for the 43 academic programs which require additional personnel to meet accreditation requirements. The request is in addition to the need to replace staff who have exited the service through retirement, dismissal resignation or special postings. 

The Vice Chancellor explained that the university has attracted national and international research grants, including a maior project on malaria elimination in Africa. He said the institution's collaboration with Shaanxi University of Science

and Technology, China, and the plans to establish the first China-Africa Joint Laboratory for Antibody Engineering and Application at UMYU, represents a significant milestone in its global research engagement. 

"Related to the quality of our graduands is the question of regular accreditation for our academic programs, it is my pleasure to report that this management deliberately prioritizes quality in our programs such that their attractiveness and ratings have consistently been high.

"At present, all our programs are fully accredited; in fact, 28 undergraduate degree programs from different departments and faculties, had in December, 2025 been accredited by the NUC. We are quite optimistic that the outcomes would be completely

positive. The welfare of both academic and non-academic staff has remained top on the agenda of the management. As at 1st October, 2025, a total of one hundred and thirteen (113) academic staff were promoted to various ranks within the University, including nineteen (19) Professors, twenty (20) Readers, thirty-one (31) Senior Lecturers, seventeen (17) Lecturer I, and twent seven (27) Lecturer Il, while thirty-six (36) staff were also converted to appropriate cadres and upgraded to higher academic and administrative ranks. These developments underscore the University's unwavering commitment to regular, consistent, and merit-driven sta advancement as a foundation for motivation, productivity, and academic excellence.

"ln the same spirit the management has continued to prioritize students' welfare in all its decisions, particularly in the areas of hostel maintenance, environmental sanitation, water supply, campus security, and the enforcement of zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and all forms of examination misconduct. To address challenges of water scarcity, the intervention of the Katsina State Government has significantly helped and improved water availability on campus. 

"This was further complemented by the support of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which sponsored the drilling of four boreholes under the University's Third Water Scheme, as well as additional boreholes drilled through the intervention of lustice Umaru Abdullahi (Walin Hausa), two of which serve students' hostels

"Furthermore, Umaru Musa Yar'adua University remains one of the few universities in the country to have institutionalised electronic voting in Students' Union Government elections, a practice that reflects our commitnent to transparency, accountability, democratic values and overall students welfare within the campus community", the Vice Chancellor said.

Meanwhile, the university's Pro-Chancellor, Senator Hadi Sirika spoke about his vision for the university which centers around expanding access to higher education, strengthening research, and providing the support that will make the university financially strong and less dependent on government for funding. He noted that "pursuant to these, the university management has appointed a committee of senior staff to understudy other institutions with a view to developing innovative and sustainable revenue-generation strategies" that will enhance academic and administrative activities, strengthen research output, and improve the welfare of staff and students.

Sirika explained that the university council has also approved the rebranding of the institution particularly with respect to the logo, vision and mission statements, website, the learning management system and the University Anthem. He pointed out that the initiative is "timely and strategic" because of the increasingly competitive global academic environment. He said rebranding is necessary for the university to remain relevant, competitive and stand at par with its contemporaries, both nationally and internationally. 

"The Council is, under my stewardship, committed to strengthening our identity, reaffirming our core values, and projecting a clear image of

excellence, innovation, and relevance. Arrangements are underway for the university to roll-out programs, including organizing national and international conferences to showcase the talents and research breakthroughs of our reputed scholars in different areas of human development.

"Notable researches and intellectual outputs such as "TAFI -a scientific alphabet for writing and the "ultimate speed without infinite mass" equation from the works of one of our enminent scientists, Engineer Musa Abdulahi, will be rigorously interrogated and given wider intellectual recognition", Sirika noted.

Commitment and Gratitude by the Visitor and Awardees

In his remarks, Visitor to the University, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, commended the perseverance and achievements of the graduating students, the unwavering support of their parents and guardians, and the

dedication of the management, staff, and governing board of UMYU.

"As Visitor to the University, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the Katsina State Government to education as a critical pillar for sustainable development. In line with this commitment, my administration has released funds to support accreditation exercises for several academic programmes in the University. This was done deliberately to ensure that the courses offered here meet required national and international standards, and that graduates of Umaru Musa Yar'adua University remain globally competitive.

"Alhamdulillah! we have also implemented salary increments for the university staff. This is our way of appreciating the enormous contributions of both academic and non-academic staff whose dedication sustains the intellectual lifeline of this institution. We will continue to prioritise staff welfare and create an enabling environment where teaching, learning, and research can thrive", Governor Radda said.

Meanwhile, Amb. Ahmad Rufa'i Abubakar delivered an appreciation speech on behalf of the four awardees where he thanked the university management for recognizing their meritorious service to the state and the nation over the years. 

"We are so honoured, according to the citations, for our meritorious services and dedication to laudable causes. One of us, however, clearly stood out in every aspect. Late

President General Muhammadu Buhari was the epitome of integrity, patriotism and hard work. He was a man of stoic courage and capable of emotion. He felt deeply and acted decisively. I had the priviledge of working with him as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and it was delightful. He would never violate civil service rules and regulations, let alone the laws of the Federal Republic of Iigeria. I benefited immensely from his rare qualities and mentorship. May he rest in perfect peace, Amin His Excellency Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda is no less an important personality. A formmer colleague in the Federal

"For me, it is doubly humbling not only to be honoured along with these outstanding personalities, but to have the additional honour to speak on their behalf. There is also deep symbolism in receiving this recognition from a university named after President Umaru Musa Yar'adua, a leader widely respected for his humility, discipline, foresight, commitment to justice and the rule of law. 

"The values associated with his legacy are values that continue to guide public life and remain urgently relevant in today's world. Universities such as Umaru Musa Yar' Adua University play a critical role in shaping the conscience of society. Beyond academic instruction, they serve as spaces where character is tested, values are nurtured, and future leaders groomed.

"At a time when our societies face complex challenges ranging from insecurity and econonmic pressures of social fragmentation and global uncertainty, the role of higher institutions in producing thoughtful, ethical, and be overstated. That is why honouring distinguished personalities who embody these virtues become more compelling.

"In accepting this honour, we renew our commitment to continued services to humanity. We accept it as a reminder that experience and knowledge must be shared, that wisdom must be offered. We pledge to continue supporting education and worthy causes here in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world.

"We thank the Senate, the Council, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Shehu Salihu Muhammad and the University management for the honor bestowed upon us. We thank friends and well- wishers. Above all, we thank Allah (SWT) who preserved our lives and gave us the strength to serve", Amb. Abubakar said.