At the combined 4th through 8th convocation ceremonies of Sokoto State University (SSU), the institution’s Chancellor and Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, urged Nigerian youths to shift focus away from academic certificates toward self-reliance. Speaking during the convocation lecture in Sokoto, the royal father emphasized that national economic transformation hinges on developing an entrepreneurial mindset capable of direct wealth creation. He noted that long-term global competitiveness relies on young citizens leveraging creative thinking to transform local raw materials into viable commercial enterprises.
The event highlighted several strategic paths for regional and national human capital development:
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Gender-Inclusive Empowerment: The Chancellor explicitly challenged female students to aggressively pursue advanced career tracks and entrepreneurial training, stating that female education acts as a multiplier for community development. He cited Jigawa State’s recent educational trends, where women make up a significant portion of graduates, as a positive model for the region.
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State Funding Commitments: Representing Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Sani Maihula, pledged the administration’s continued fiscal backing for tertiary education. The state’s investment strategy will prioritize funding for technical programs that transform fresh graduates into immediate employers of labor rather than job seekers.
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Reframing Regional Potential: Delivering the keynote lecture, prominent technocrat Umar Buba Bindir urged the graduating class to deploy academic research directly against poverty. Bindir rejected public classifications of Sokoto as an economically depressed state, arguing that its massive human capital and untapped natural resource base provide a solid foundation for industrial growth.
