Northwest University, Kano, a state-owned institution, is set to hold its 2nd combined convocation ceremony from Friday, July 25, to Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The convocation ceremony will cover graduates of five academic sessions who completed both undergraduate and postgraduate academic programs.
Briefing journalists at a pre-convocation press conference on Tuesday, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mukhtari Atiku Kurawa, disclosed that the convocation would also award an honorary doctorate to dignitaries.
According to him, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away recently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was buried in the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, will be honoured with a posthumous doctorate degree in recognition of his contributions to the development of education and business across the country.
Former Governor of Kano State and leader of Kwankwasiyya movement Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is equally listed for an honorary doctorate degree, during the convocation.
“Others to receive honorary doctorate degrees include Hajiya Maryam Sunusi Dantata, a renowned philanthropist and mother of the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu Bebeji, proprietor of Aliko Oil, and Alhaji Adamu Yahya (A.Y. Maikifi).
“This year’s convocation is unique, as we will also install our new chancellor, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, a retired Supreme Court Justice of Nigeria.
He added that, “In addition to the installation, the university will confer honorary doctorate degrees on prominent Nigerians who have significantly contributed to its growth and development.
“These individuals have played crucial roles in supporting the university and identifying with our mission from inception. We sought Senate approval to honour them accordingly.”
Prof. Kurawa hinted that a pre-convocation lecture is scheduled for Friday, July 25, at the university’s City Campus, to be delivered by Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
Speaking on institutional growth, Prof. Kurawa revealed that the university has expanded from five faculties to nine, with a tenth, the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, currently under review by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
According to him, plans are also underway for a Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, which will offer programmes such as Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, and more.
He said, additionally, the NUC recently approved the university’s official name change from Yusuf Maitama Sule University back to Northwest University, Kano, following a bill signed by the Governor of Kano State on December 35, 2024 (likely meant to be December 25).
Prof. Kurawa described the institution as “first among equals,” asserting that Northwest University is progressing steadily and competing favourably with its counterparts across the country.
