UNIMAID Architecture Students Honour Vice-Chancellor, Deputies And Faculty Leaders

The University of Maiduguri community witnessed a ceremonial showcase of academic recognition as the National Association of Architecture Students (NAAS), UNIMAID Chapter, conferred an Award of Excellence on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele.

The honour, presented during a ceremony themed “From Vision to Reality,” held on Thursday, 13 November 2025 at the Muhammadu Buhari Senate Building, underscored the administration’s continued support for architectural education.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Mohammed Ahmed Waziri, received the award on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor commended NAAS for its organisational discipline and commitment to academic growth, describing the recognition as a validation of collaborative progress across the Faculty of Environmental Studies. He urged the students to maintain their drive, noting that sustained excellence would strengthen the department’s legacy and inspire future cohorts.

During the presentation, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, Professor Peter Sale, highlighted that the honour reflected the Vice-Chancellor’s exemplary leadership and his longstanding support for both the Department of Architecture and the broader faculty community.

In addition to the Vice-Chancellor’s recognition, several senior officials received awards for their contributions to academic development. Professor Mohammed Ahmed Waziri was conferred an Award of Excellence, while Professor Peter Sale received the Dean’s Award of Honour and Legacy. Other recipients included Mrs. Altine Bomai, honoured with the Faculty Officer Award of Excellence; Arc. Hyeledzira Garba Mshelia, who earned the Head of Department’s Award of Excellence; and Arc. Fatima Wakil, represented by Khadija Musa Gora, recognised with the Studio Coordinator’s Award for Dedication and Mentorship.

The event also featured an extensive slate of student recognitions, celebrating outstanding achievement across design, construction, graphics, structures, digital design, leadership, academic excellence and departmental service. Honourees included Gana Mshelia (Best Graduating Design Student), Nuraini Ibrahim (Best Graduating Construction Student), Abdullahi Mohammed Abba (Best Graduating Graphics Student), and Muhammad Hashim (Best Graduating Structures Student). Additional awardees were Umar Mohammed Lawan (Best in Computer-Aided and Digital Design), Khaleed Muhammad Ramadan (Departmental Impact and Service Award), Jibrillah Ali Lawan (Academic Excellence Award), Muhammad Sadiq (Academic Leadership Excellence Award), Zainab Matawalli (Academic Excellence Award), Mustapha Abubakar (Leadership Excellence Award), Abdulrahman Hamidu Pindiga (Leadership Excellence Award), Jesse Wadai (Award for Distinction in Architecture), and Mustapha Baba Ali (Best Graduating Student Award).

The ceremony drew staff, students and invited guests, collectively reinforcing the institution’s culture of excellence and its commitment to nurturing high-performing professionals in the built-environment disciplines.