Northwest varsity awards Aminu Dantata posthumous Doctorate degree

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state owned tertiary institution, Northwest University, will on Saturday award late business mogul, Aminu Alhassan Dantata posthumous honourary Doctorate degree in recognition of his contribution to the development of education and business across the country.

Former Governor of Kano state and founder of the University, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso will also receive honourary Doctorate degree, during the university’s combined convocation ceremony.

This was disclosed to journalists on Tuesday by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Mukhtari Atiku Kurawa.

Others to receive honorary Doctorate degrees include Hajiya Maryam Sunusi Dantata, a renowned philanthropist; Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu Bebeji, proprietor of Aliko Oil; and Alhaji Adamu Yahya (A.Y Maikifi).

Prof. Kurawa announced that the institution will hold its second combined convocation ceremony from Friday, July 25, to Saturday, July 26, 2025.

The Vice Chancellor described the event as a significant milestone in the university’s development.

He noted that the convocation would cover five academic sessions — from 2018/2019 to 2023/2024 — during which both undergraduate and postgraduate students will be convocated.

Our Correspondent reports that the convocation includes the university’s first cohort of postgraduate students, following the commencement of its postgraduate programmes in 2021.

According to the Vice Chancellor, “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.

The lecture will be chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.

Speaking on institutional growth, Prof. Kurawa revealed that the university has expanded from five faculties to nine, with a tenth — 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.