Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has awarded a fully sponsored trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Sherif Abdullahi, the overall best-graduating student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
The announcement was made on Saturday during the university’s 42nd convocation ceremony, held at its main campus.
Governor Aliyu, an alumnus of UDUS himself, said the reward was in recognition of Abdullahi’s outstanding academic achievement. Abdullahi, a Microbiology graduate, finished with an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.92, which the governor described as “among the highest.”
“This university has made a significant impact both within Nigeria and across Africa. Its role in national and international development is immense, and today’s graduates should be proud of the legacy they are inheriting,” Aliyu stated.
He also highlighted recent strides by his administration in the education sector, including the payment of ₦1.845 billion in outstanding tuition fees for Sokoto State medical students studying locally and abroad. Additionally, four professors from UDUS have been appointed to lead key education-related roles in the state, and various educational institutions at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels are undergoing renovation.
Meanwhile, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Bashir Garba, commended the Federal Government for its ongoing reforms in the education sector.
He said, “The Tinubu administration’s efforts to revitalise public universities are already showing positive outcomes. Reforms in funding and academic policy are helping to strengthen the foundation for sustainable progress in higher education.”
The convocation ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including representatives of President Bola Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Oba of Lagos (who serves as Chancellor of the university), members of the National Assembly, diplomats, traditional rulers, senior academics, and alumni.
Three individuals were also honoured during the event: retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, received a Doctor of Science; Islamic scholar Sheikh Aminu Daurawa was awarded a Doctor of Letters; and Professor Dejo Abdulrahman was conferred the title of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his service to the institution.
