By Samson Yaki Bako
Nasarawa State University, Keffi will on Saturday graduate more than 25,000 students, including 83 who earned first class honours, as part of activities marking its 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony and Silver Jubilee celebration.
The Vice-Chancellor, Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the institution’s main campus in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
She said the graduating students were drawn from the university’s 11 faculties, which collectively run about 83 undergraduate and 104 postgraduate programmes.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the convocation underscores both academic excellence and the steady growth of the university since its establishment in 2002.
Professor Liman said the institution has recorded “tremendous success in leadership, academics and infrastructure development,” attributing the progress to the vision and commitment of its founders and successive administrations.
She acknowledged the role of the university’s founder, Abdullahi Adamu, describing his leadership as critical to the institution’s foundation and long-term development.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended former governors of the state, including Aliyu Akwe Doma and Tanko Al-Makura, as well as the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule, for their continued support for education.
She further praised the contributions of traditional rulers of the Keffi Emirate, particularly Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, for sustaining the university over the years.
Highlighting governance, Professor Liman noted that former Pro-Chancellors, including Matthew Kukah, the late Adamu Baikie, and Attahiru Jega, laid a solid foundation for the university’s development.
She added that successive administrations have built on the legacies of past Vice-Chancellors, including Professor Adamu Baikie, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, Professor Mainoma Mohammed, and Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed.
On rankings, the Vice-Chancellor said the university was ranked 36th in Sub-Saharan Africa and 8th in Nigeria in the 2024 Times Higher Education ratings, emerging as the second-best state university in the country.
She added that in 2025, the institution also received recognition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for promoting inclusive and quality education. Professor Liman further announced that honorary degrees would be conferred on distinguished personalities, including Samia Suluhu Hassan, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Ahmed Adamu, in recognition of their contributions to development and society.
She expressed appreciation to stakeholders, staff, students and partners whose contributions, she said, have sustained the university’s growth over the past 25 years.