The Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi State, Prof. Fatimah Tahir, has urged no fewer than 12,256 graduates of the institution to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance rather than depend solely on white-collar jobs.

She gave the charge during the university’s combined 8th, 9th, and 10th convocation ceremony held at its main campus in Gadau, yesterday.

The graduating students cut across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from the university’s nine faculties.

Prof. Tahir emphasised that in the face of increasing global competition and limited job opportunities, graduates must position themselves as job creators.

“As you step into the larger society, do not limit yourselves to seeking employment alone; become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders,” she advised.

Highlighting the institution’s progress, the Vice-Chancellor said SAZU has recorded remarkable achievements in education, research, and infrastructure over the past 15 years.
She disclosed that 38 out of the university’s 40 academic programmes have secured full accreditation, while the remaining two have interim status.

On research development, she revealed that the university has accessed 148 Institutional-Based Research (IBR) grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) since 2023, in addition to two National Research Fund (NRF) grants.

Prof. Tahir also noted the university’s expanding international collaborations with institutions such as Don State Technical University, Russia; Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Sunway University, Malaysia. It also maintains partnerships with global initiatives like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico, USA.

At the national level, she said the university has strengthened ties with key organisations including the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSATI), and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).

She further revealed that 17 academic programmes were recently accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), reaffirming the institution’s commitment to quality education.

On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Bauchi State Government for its support, particularly in constructing internal road networks at the Gadau campus.

She disclosed that additional projects are underway, including hostel construction, expansion of road networks at the Yuli campus, perimeter fencing across campuses, staff housing, and plans for a medical college.

Prof. Tahir also acknowledged the construction of a modern ICT complex by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in collaboration with Offshore Labs, noting that it has enhanced teaching, learning, and research.

She added that the university has taken steps to address infrastructure challenges by installing a 500KVA generator and drilling additional boreholes at the Yuli campus.

The Vice-Chancellor thanked the state government for increased funding, which she said has improved operations and staff welfare.
She reiterated the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who are academically sound, morally upright, and socially responsible, urging them to be worthy ambassadors of the university.

SAZU, formerly known as Bauchi State University (BASUG), was established in 2011 and commenced academic activities in 2012.

In her remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Gambo Laraba Abdullahi, described the convocation as a major milestone.

She commended the Bauchi State Government for sustained investment in education and urged the graduates to contribute meaningfully to national development while upholding the university’s values.