By Waziri Isa Adam Gwantu
The Government of Tanzania is set to partner with Nasarawa State University, Keffi on exchange programs, study tours, and other mutually beneficial initiatives, President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced made the announcement while accepting an honorary doctorate degree during the institution’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary and 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony.
President Hassan, who was represented by Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, delivered her acceptance speech virtually.
Commending NSUK for 25 years of “academic excellence, research, and project management,” she disclosed immediate steps toward collaboration: “I have instructed my Minister for Education, Science and Technology, who is here with me, to engage with your team and explore opportunities for establishing exchange programs, study tours, or any form of partnership that may be mutually beneficial for Tanzania and Nigeria, particularly between institutions and universities.”
In her address, the Tanzanian leader urged the African continent “to strive for greatness and not settle for less,” as she recounted her journey from a “modest family background” in a Zanzibar village to becoming Tanzania’s first female president.
“I come from a simple village environment where life was defined by community, hard work, and strong bonds,” she said. “My early schooling exposed me to the realities faced by many young girls, including limited access to resources and societal expectations that often confined women to traditional roles. These experiences shaped my resolve to challenge such limitations not only for myself, but for others as well.”
Tracing her rise through public service, President Hassan noted that she began in junior administrative roles in Zanzibar and “rose through the ranks of public administration, governance, and service delivery.” Those formative years, she said, were crucial in helping her “understand the needs of ordinary citizens and the importance of responsive leadership.”
Her transition to national leadership came in 2015 when she was elected Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania. In March 2021, following the death of her predecessor, she assumed the presidency, making history as the country’s first female leader.
“Throughout my journey, I have remained deeply committed to the empowerment of women and girls, and creating opportunities for others,” she told the convocation. “I have consistently advocated for women’s inclusion in leadership, education, and economic activity, knowing fully that no society can achieve its full potential by leaving half of its population behind.”
President Hassan said her work on women’s and children’s wellbeing motivated the African Union Summit in February this year to appoint her as Champion for Maternal and Child Health. She also serves as Champion of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Women and Youth in Trade, and Champion of Clean Cooking Energy in Africa.
“I am convinced that my story is not unique to me alone. It represents a wider spectrum of experiences that women encounter in their daily routines,” she said. “It is testament to the belief that regardless of one’s beginnings, it is possible to rise and serve at the highest level. I carry with me the lessons of my upbringing and the responsibility to inspire future generations to dream, strive, and lead.”
The Tanzanian leader said she was “particularly proud to join the league of distinguished alumni of Nasarawa State University.”
She closed by congratulating all NSUK graduates, noting that “today marks not only the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, but also the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility to your families, your communities, your nation, and our continent. Go forth, dream boldly, strive relentlessly, and lead with courage, for Africa’s greatness depends on what you do next,” President Hassan.
Below is the full text of her recorded remarks:
“…I urge the African continent to strive for greatness and not settle for less. As some of you might be aware, I come from a modest family background, raised in a simple village environment where life was defined by community, hard work, and strong community bonds. My early schooling in Zanzibar exposed me to the realities faced by many young girls, including limited access to resources and societal expectations that often confined women to traditional roles.
These experiences shaped my resolve to challenge such limitations not only for myself, but for others as well. My journey to public service began at a relatively young age when I joined government service in Zanzibar. I started in junior administrative roles and rose through the ranks of public administration, governance, and service delivery where I gained massive experience.
These formative years in government were crucial, as they allowed me to better understand the needs of ordinary citizens and the importance of responsive leadership. My transition to national leadership came when I was elected as the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania in 2015. This role broadened my perspective, allowing me to engage constructively on national and international issues at a higher level.
In March 2021, following the demise of my predecessor, I assumed the office of President, becoming the first woman to lead Tanzania. Throughout my journey, I have remained deeply committed to the empowerment of women and girls, and creating opportunities for others. I have consistently advocated for women’s inclusion in leadership, education, and economic activity, knowing fully that no society can achieve its full potential by leaving half of its population behind.
I believe that my humble journey and active involvement in the women’s and children’s wellbeing is what motivated the African Union Summit in February this year to appoint me as Champion for Maternal and Child Health. I have also served as a Champion of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Women and Youth in Trade, and a Champion of Clean Cooking Energy in Africa.
Your Royal Highness, Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that my story is not unique to me alone. It represents a wider spectrum of experiences that women encounter in their daily routines. It is also testament to the belief that regardless of one’s beginnings, it is possible to rise and serve at the highest level. Indeed, I carry with me the lessons of my upbringing and the responsibility to inspire future generations to dream, strive, and lead.
In this context, I accept this honor with a renewed sense of responsibility. I am particularly proud to join the league of distinguished alumni of Nasarawa State University, including my sister and my friend, Madam Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, my brother, Mr. Aliko Dangote, as well as my fellow alumni, Alhaji Abdulsalaw Abiu and Dr. Mahmood Ahmadu. I join other ambassadors of this great institution and will continue to uphold its values wherever I may be, and I look forward to strengthening the bonds between the university and my country in the years ahead.
To the leadership of the Nasarawa State University, noting that in its 25 years of existence, the university excels in academic excellence, research, and project management. I have instructed my Minister for Education, Science and Technology, who is here with me, to engage with your team and explore opportunities for establishing exchange programs, study tours, or any form of partnership that may be mutually beneficial for Tanzania and Nigeria, particularly between institutions and universities.
Your Excellency, Governor of Nasarawa State, Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, in closing, I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all graduates. Indeed, today marks not only the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, but also the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility to your families, your communities, your nation, and our continent. I urge you to carry the values of Nasarawa State University with you: excellence, integrity, and service. Go forth, dream boldly, strive relentlessly, and lead with courage, for Africa’s greatness depends on what you do next.”
President Hassan’s address drew applause from dignitaries and graduates at the Keffi convocation, which marked 25 years of NSUK’s founding by former Governor Abdullahi Adamu. The ceremony saw honorary doctorates awarded to several African leaders and icons, reinforcing the university’s growing continental footprint.