By Khalid Idris Doya
The Vice-Chancellor of Sa'adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi State, Prof. Fatimah Tahir, has said the institution has recorded remarkable achievements in education, research, and infrastructure over the past 15 years since its establishment.
She made this known during the university's combined 8th, 9th, and 10th convocation ceremony held on Saturday at the main campus of the university in Gadau, where a total of 12,256 students graduated across three academic sessions. The graduands cut across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from the university's nine faculties.
Prof. Tahir disclosed that out of the 40 academic programmes offered by the university, 38 have secured full accreditation, while the remaining two currently hold 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 winning two National Research Fund (NRF) grants.
She further highlighted the university's growing international collaborations, including partnerships with Don State Technical University, Russia; Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Sunway University, Malaysia. The institution also maintains a fellowship agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and is affiliated with Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico, USA.
She added d that at the national level, SAZU has established formal collaborations with organisations such as 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).
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university has continued to make significant progress in academic development. She noted that 17 academic programmes were recently accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), further affirming the institution’s commitment to quality education and high academic standards.
In terms of infrastructure, Prof. Tahir said the university has recorded notable improvements through the support of the Bauchi State Government, development partners, and TETFund.
She commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his continued support, particularly the construction of internal road networks at the Gadau main campus, which has enhanced mobility and improved the campus environment.
She added that the state government has proposed additional projects, including the construction of hostels and road networks at the Yuli campus, completion of perimeter fencing across all three campuses, development of staff housing in Gadau and Yuli, and the establishment of a medical college.
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the construction of a state-of-the-art ICT complex by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in collaboration with Offshore Labs. She said the facility, equipped with modern digital tools, has significantly improved teaching, learning, and research.
She expressed appreciation for numerous TETFund intervention projects, including hostel construction, laboratory upgrades, development of the university farm, and the equipping of academic departments, among others.
Prof. Tahir added that the university has taken independent steps to address infrastructure challenges by providing a 500KVA generator and drilling additional boreholes at the Yuli campus to improve power and water supply.
She thanked the Bauchi State Government for increased funding, noting that it has significantly enhanced university operations and improved staff welfare.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the role of universities in national development, stating that SAZU remains committed to producing graduates who are academically sound, morally upright, and socially responsible.
She congratulated the graduands on their achievement, as well as their parents and guardians for their support, urging the graduates to be good ambassadors of the university.
"As you step into the larger society, strive to uphold the values of integrity, hard work, discipline, and service to humanity. Do not limit yourselves to seeking employment alone, become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders," she advised
Professor Tahir also reiterated appreciation to the Visitor to the University, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, as well as the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council, Senate, staff, and students for their contributions to the institution’s growth.
She noted that SAZU, formerly known as Bauchi State University (BASUG), was established in 2011 and began academic activities in 2012, adding that it has since expanded in programmes, infrastructure, research, and community service.
In her remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Gambo Laraba Abdullahi, described the convocation as a significant milestone in the university's journey.
She stated that since her appointment in 2025, she has witnessed the dedication and resilience of the university community in advancing the institution.
Prof. Abdullahi commended the Bauchi State Government for its sustained investment in education, noting that increased funding has strengthened academic programmes, improved staff welfare, and enhanced infrastructure across campuses.
She congratulated the graduands and urged them to contribute meaningfully to society while upholding the values of the university.
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