Visitor of the Nasarawa State University Keffi and the Executive Governor of the State Engr. A.A. Sule has described the University as a hub of academic excellence in the comity of universities in Nigeria.

Making this assertion during the 8^th Convocation and 25 years existence of the University  recently at the convocation pavilion of the university,in his speech said the university is open for all Nigerians who flood the institution to seek for admissions into the various programmes available in the university. 

Such that the entire courses in the university have been accredited by relevant bodies

The Governor informed.

“It is pertinent to note that at the establishment of the university 25 years ago,it has 3 faculties and 9 departments”.

The Governor who welcomed her Excellency Dr.Samia Suluhu Hassan the President of the united Republic of Tanzania to Nasarawa state, to be part of this epoch making event and for accepting the HONORARI CAUSA stated that it is a testament of her outstanding commitment to the development of not only the women folk,but education and governance evolution in African continent.

In the same vein the convocation lecturer who is an orator of International repute,Prof,Patrick L.O LUMUMBA a famous professor of LAW,who is a strong advocate of the development of African human and material resources whose developmental disposition has inspired African leaders the governor stated.

While acknowledging the presence of members of the NATIONAL Assembly,Stakeholders in the education sector and other distinguished personalities informed that Nasarawa state university was established by the first civilian governor of Nasarawa state,His Excellency senator Abdullahi Adamu TURAKIN KEFFI in 2001 to advance human capital development,research,innovation and promote educational development particularly to the people of Nasarawa state.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, today’s occasion is to also celebrate the eighth graduation ceremony of our young men and women who have successfully acquired different certificates that guarantee them eligibility to face the challenges of  life in the outside world.

Let me, therefore, on behalf of the Government and people of Nasarawa State, express our profound appreciation to our celebrated scholars, professionals, philanthropists, industrialists, friends and associates from within and outside Nigeria, who have turned out in such a large number to be part of this epoch-making event. Your presence at this occasion is an eloquent testimony of your continued solidarity and support to our collective commitment to uplift the standard of education, not only in the State but the country at large.

I need to also congratulate the Governing Council, Management and the University Community for organizing this historic event. I also congratulate my dear graduands whose convocation we are witnessing today. It is my believe that the knowledge and skills which you have acquired during your studies will be necessary tools towards accelerating your career development and add value to the technological, industrial and socio-economic development of our country.

You must bear in mind that as you are leaving this arena with your letters of credence as ambassadors of Nasarawa State University, to any part of the world in which you may eventually find yourselves, it behoves on you therefore, to fly the banner of honour and integrity of your alma mater as worthy ambassadors at all times, no matter the circumstance. You must go and build communities, the nation and humanity as a whole. As graduands of this University, you are expected to give back in equal measure and even much more in return to the society.

Let me also congratulate one of the strong pillars in the African Continent, Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and other distinguished Nigerian statesmen who have been and will be conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degrees at this 83″Convocation ceremony. This, indeed, is the manifestation and practical testimony of your various contributions towards the development of our dear continent, nation and humanity at large.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is inperative to emphasize that education remains the most enduring legacy we can bequeath to our children, in view of the myriad of challenges facing us as a people.

Suffice to say that no amount of investment and sacrifice can be too much to provide quality education considering its obvious importance to the socio- economic development of the society. It is for this reason that we have sustained our commitment to the education sector since our assumption of office, particularly our resolve of ensuring that our institutions of higher learning remain centers of excellence, innovation, and character moulding.

I need to place on record that our Administration shall continue to build on the enviable legacies of my predecessors to sustain the strides so far achieved. In this regard, I must commend the efforts of successive Administrations in the State for keeping the dream of the founding fathers alive and for nurturing the State University to this enviable height, making it to compete with the world class Universities not just in Nigeria but Africa and the world at large.

It is pertinent to state that over the past seven years, my Administration has embarked on transformative educational reforms, aimed at repositioning Nasarawa State as a hub of academic and research excellence. In doing this, we have achieved the following:

• Upgraded lecture halls, laboratories, and libraries in tertiary educational institutions to meet global standards.
• Constructed new faculty buildings and lecture theatres to accommodate the growing student population in all our tertiary educational institutions.
• Improved power supply and internet connectivity to support digital learning.
• Renovated staff quarters and student hostels to enhance welfare as well as ensure that learning takes place in a world class academic environment.

Another significant achievement is that we have ensured that learning does not emphasize paper qualification alone, but quality acquisition of knowledge, drive for innovation and creative problem solving. Accordingly, we recorded the following:

• Increased advocacy with funding agencies like the TETFund and Educational Foundations to solicit research grants to encourage ground-breaking studies. As a State, we have established the Nasarawa State Education Trust Fund to ensure versatility in educational funding·
• Encouraged Tertiary Educational Institutions to partner with industries and international delighted that Nasarawa State University has maintained this tradition through its broad-spectrum strategic partnerships and linkages, such that under the current Vice-Chancellor the University is making strides in its efforts towards obtaining copyrights and patents for its various research products.
• Improved scholarship schemes to cover all indigent students to enable them meet the increasing cost of education. Beyond that, outstanding students have been presented to international donor agencies and institutions for higher education sponsorship. About two years ago, Nasarawa State University students who graduated with first class degrees had my personal award of one million Naira each to support their further education and or entrepreneurship.
• Strengthened staff development programs to ensure that our lecturers obtain the best grooming to meet up with current scholarship requirements to excel in the global competitive space.

In view of the increasing challenges of global economic depreciation and constriction of employment spaces in many low-to-middle income countries, our Administration has identified numerous untapped potentials for human capital development in Technical and Vocational Education. In this regard, we have:

• Expanded and enhanced vocational training centers across the state.
• Introduced entrepreneurship programs to equip graduates with practical skills to earn a living, even while studying.
• Improved collaboration with industries to provide internship and job placement opportunities.

I am, therefore happy to note that the University is very well entrenched in the Industrial Training Fund’s Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). I am also pleased to observe that Nasarawa State Tertiary Educational Institutions provide one of the safest school learning environments in the country. As Visitor to these Institutions in the State, I have mandated the respective Governing Councils to ensure that the welfare of staff and students on their respective campuses are not compromised. They also have the mandate to device surveillance and policing schemes that are inclusive of all stakeholders for sustained security on their campuses. In this regard we have achieved the following:

• Strengthened campus security through collaborations with security agencies.
• Implemented student welfare programs, including healthcare and counselling services.
• Promoted peaceful coexistence among students of diverse backgrounds.

Accordingly, our Administration remains committed to ensuring that students learn in safe and supportive environments. Moving forward, I wish to pledge our continuous support to the University in order to expand her educational programmes, improve the quality of her learning infrastructure, especially the integration of ICT in teaching and learning. I remain committed to ensuring that education is prioritized in the State’s budget for sustainable growth and development.

At this juncture, let me to commend the Governing Council under Professor Attahiru Jega for supporting the good works of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman in providing the academic leadership that inspires growth and confidence in the reckoning, and today being recognised in the Universities’ global ranking system. I, therefore, urge the University Council and Management to work hard to ensure that the capacity of the University for internally generated revenue is enhanced to enable it deliver quality academic offerings and guarantees its autonomy.

I cannot complete my address without acknowledging and appreciating the support and contributions of the Chancellor of the University, His Royal Highness, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, CON, to the University. Your fatherly counsel and guidance have contributed immensely to the growth that the University is being witnessing.

In concluding this address, let me once again welcome all of us to this important ceremony for the award of various categories of degree to deserving individuals. I wish us all very successful graduation ceremony.

Happy Silver Jubilee, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Happy Convocation, our dear graduands.

Thank you and may God bless us all.

Today, Mahmood Ahmadu remains not just a businessman, but a symbol of what vision, resilience, and strategic thinking can achieve. His story is not just a story of success; it is a story of possibility, a reminder that from Africa can raise companies that serve the world, ideas that shape industries, and leaders who build the future.