NSUK Marks Silver Jubilee with Historic 8th Combined Convocation; Governor Sule Awards ₦44m to Top Graduates

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) recorded a landmark moment in its history from 8th–11th April, 2026, as it held its 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony alongside its Silver Jubilee Anniversary, marking 25 years of academic excellence and institutional growth.

The four-day celebration transformed the university into a vibrant hub of intellectual engagement and cultural prestige, attracting top government officials, diplomats, traditional rulers, alumni, and development partners. The milestone event celebrated the university’s remarkable journey since its establishment in 2001. This has reaffirmed NSUK’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned institutions.

The convocation ceremony, held on Saturday, 11th April, witnessed the graduation of 32,884 students across three academic sessions. Among them were 82 first-class honours graduates from 11 faculties, reflecting the institution’s expanding academic strength, which now spans above 300 programmes across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor ’adatu Hassan Liman, described the ceremony as historic, noting that it uniquely combined multiple graduating sets while commemorating the university’s Silver Jubilee.

A major highlight of the event was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on distinguished global figures, including the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the President of the Nigerian-Arabian Chamber of Commerce, UAE, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadu, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to leadership, industry, and societal development.

The intellectual tone of the celebration was further enriched by two landmark lectures. Renowned Kenyan scholar, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba delivered the Convocation Lecture titled “Universities Leadership of African Renaissance: Re-Imagining Knowledge for Development in the 21st Century.” Earlier, Engr. Dr. Umar Buba Bindir presented the Silver Jubilee Lecture on “Knowledge-to-Wealth Creation: Pathway for Revitalising Nigerian Tertiary Education,” urging Nigerian universities to translate research into practical solutions for national development.

The Visitor to the University, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, played a pivotal role throughout the celebrations. In a major show of support for academic excellence, he announced cash rewards of ₦500,000 for each of the 82 first-class graduates and ₦1 million for each of the three best graduating students, totaling ₦44 million.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining high standards in teaching, learning, and research.

The Chancellor of the University, HRH Alh. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, PhD, CON, charged the graduates to see their certificates as a call to service. He emphasized integrity, innovation, and discipline, urging them to contribute meaningfully to national development while calling for increased investment in education and research.

The convocation also witnessed remarkable goodwill from distinguished alumni and stakeholders. The Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Ahmad Aliyu, through a representative, pledged the donation of ₦25 million and committed to fully funding the construction of an International Capital Market structure valued at ₦126 million. Similarly, the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency, Agbu Kefas, donated ₦25 million to support institutional development.

In addition, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadu announced a grant of ₦100,000 to each first-class graduate, pledged to establish an ICT Innovation Hub, and offered employment opportunities to at least 50 graduates within the ICT sector.

Further strengthening the university’s future outlook, Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim unveiled an endowment for a world-class digital library, while the Protocol Liason Officer to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Yakubu Musa, donated an Alumni Secretariat to enhance alumni engagement.

The Silver Jubilee also highlighted NSUK’s growing global recognition. The university was ranked 36th in Sub-Saharan Africa, 8th in Nigeria, and 2nd best among state-owned universities in the 2024 Times Higher Education rankings. It also earned 2025 Sustainable Development Goals recognition for advancing equitable education.

From a modest beginning with two faculties, NSUK has expanded to 11 faculties across multiple campuses, including specialized faculties of Agriculture in Lafia and Engineering in Gudi—underscoring its steady transformation into a comprehensive academic powerhouse.

The historic celebration concluded with the presentation of awards and souvenirs to distinguished guests, followed by group photographs, leaving behind a legacy of pride, achievement, and renewed commitment as the university looks ahead to its next 25 years.