By Sunday Abah, Abuja
As Nasarawa State University Keffi held its Silver Jubilee and 8th Combined Convocation over the weekend, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Of Council, Professor Attahiru M. Jega delivered a brief but very powerful speech at the event.
In the speech Jega reaffirmed the council’s commitment to sustaining the growth and global visibility thereby sustaining the legacies of the founders of the citadel of learning, as he paid glowing tribute to the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Late Emeritus Professor David Adamu Baikie, and commended the support of the state government, the hard work of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, among other stakeholders.
Welcoming all attendees at the event and congratulating the graduands, while setting the tone for the speech, Prof. Jega said, “It gives me profound pleasure and deep personal satisfaction to stand before you today on the auspicious occasion of the 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Convocation is always a moment of reflection and gratitude, a celebration of ideas, perseverance, and the unyielding human spirit that drives progress.
“Today, we celebrate not just the success of our graduands but also the collective journey of a university that has risen steadily to national and global prominence through dedication, sacrifice, and visionary leadership.”
On the commitment of Council, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said, “While we celebrate today’s progress, our work is far from complete. Sustaining growth requires discipline, creativity, and collaboration,” assuring that the Council would continue to provide policy direction that promotes transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
“We are committed to attracting new partnerships, strengthening industry linkages, and deepening research commercialisation, all aimed at positioning NSUK as a global knowledge hub anchored on local relevance.”
He described the late Emeritus Prof. Baikie as not merely part of the university’s story, but foundation, recalling that he (Baikie) served as Chairman of the Steering Committee for its establishment of the university, and laid the intellectual and administrative groundwork upon which the institution stands today.
He urged that late Baikie be honoured with a renewed commitment to uphold his ideals.
“He went on to serve as our Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, nurturing the university through its formative years with rare discipline, humility, and foresight. Even after retirement, he continued to guide this institution as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, offering wisdom and encouragement until his final days.
“Emeritus Professor Baikie’s passing is a profound loss to the academic community and to Nasarawa State. Yet his legacy endures, in every graduate who passes through these halls, in every lecture delivered, and in every milestone this university achieves. Let us, therefore, honour him not with silence, but with a renewed commitment to uphold the ideals he lived for: integrity, service, and excellence,” Jega noted.
Expressing gratitude to the Governor and Visitor to the university, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the legal icon said, “Your Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, FNIPR, FSNE, for the unwavering support of your administration, which has transformed this university’s landscape; your investment in infrastructure, your prioritisation of staff welfare, and your belief in research and innovation which have strengthened our foundation for sustainable growth, on behalf of the Governing Council, I express our profound gratitude. You have demonstrated that when the government invests in knowledge, it secures the prosperity of its people.”
He commended the VC, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, for her visionary leadership and tireless commitment to excellence under her administration, as a result of which, according to him, NSUK had recorded remarkable progress, new faculties and programmes, expanded research frontiers, and greater international visibility.
“The university’s impressive performance in 2024 in the Times Higher Education Ranking, 36th in Sub-Saharan Africa, 8th in Nigeria, and 2nd among state universities, stands as a testament to this leadership and the dedication of our academic and non-academic staff. NSUK also scored the highest ranking in 2025 in the Quality Education – SDG 4.
“These achievements are not accidental; they are the outcome of hard work, teamwork, and faith in purpose. The Council is proud of your stewardship, Professor Liman, and of the collective efforts of the entire NSUK community.
“With the renewed commitment to global linkages and international collaborations of the Vice-Chancellor and the high academic productivity of staff, I am optimistic that in the next cycle of assessment, Nasarawa State University will improve upon this impressive rating. Commitment to Staff Welfare and Institutional Stability Our greatest asset remains our people.
“The Governing Council is resolute in its commitment to staff welfare, professional growth, and institutional stability. We recognise that the motivation of staff determines the quality of teaching, research, and service delivery. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen systems that reward merit, ensure transparent promotion processes, and improve working conditions.
“Council will also sustain industrial harmony, promote open dialogue with unions, and explore innovative funding mechanisms to enhance welfare packages. It is our firm belief that when staff are valued, respected, and supported, the university’s productivity and reputation will continue to soar,” Prof. Jega said.
To the graduands, the erudite scholar said, “To our graduating students, I say congratulations. You have carried the torch of diligence and perseverance through your years here. Now, you are being entrusted with a greater task — to take the values of knowledge and service into the wider world. Remember the wisdom of our forebears: ‘He who learns must teach; he who is lifted must lift others.’
“Use your education not just for personal advancement, but as a force for change in your communities and in our country.”
He concluded by saying, “Your Excellencies, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate this convocation, let us draw strength from our past, pride in our present, and faith in our future. The legacy of Emeritus Professor Baikie reminds us that institutions endure only when leaders act selflessly and when communities invest in shared purpose.
“On behalf of the Governing Council, I reaffirm our unwavering support to the Visitor, our full cooperation with the Vice-Chancellor, and our dedication to the continued growth and global relevance of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
“Together, we shall sustain this university as a fortress of learning, a sanctuary of integrity, and a beacon of hope for generations to come. Congratulations once again to our graduands and to the entire university community.”