Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has announced a fully sponsored trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj as a reward to Sherif Abdullahi, the overall best-graduating student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
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The governor made the pronouncement on Saturday during the institution’s 42nd convocation ceremony, held at the main campus.
Abdullahi, who studied Microbiology, graduated with a remarkable Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.92. The governor, himself an alumnus of UDUS, commended the student’s dedication, describing his performance as a model of academic excellence.
He further noted that UDUS has made invaluable contributions to national and international development, stressing that graduates of the institution should be proud to be associated with its legacy.
The governor also used the occasion to highlight efforts his administration is making in the education sector. He disclosed that Sokoto State had cleared N1.845 billion in accumulated tuition fees for medical students studying within Nigeria and abroad, appointed four UDUS professors into top leadership positions, and embarked on extensive renovation of schools across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
The convocation ceremony was graced by dignitaries, including representatives of President Bola Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Oba of Lagos, who serves as the university’s chancellor. Three distinguished personalities also received honorary awards: former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruku Yahaya (retd), who was conferred with Doctor of Science; Sheikh Aminu Durawa, awarded Doctor of Letters; and Professor Dejo Abdulrahman, who was named Emeritus Professor.
