A deluge of criticisms has trailed the gesture by the Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu to reward the best graduating student of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (formerly University of Sokoto), with a hajj trip.
Since it’s establishment in September 1975, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (formerly University of Sokoto), has stood out as one of the four early universities established by the federal government of Nigeria.
As old as UDUS is, rewarding outstanding students for academic excellence at convocations or other ceremonies has been a rare occurence that only a best graduating or truly exceptional student earns.
Previously, the university faced criticisms for not recognizing record breakers. A milestone came in 2024, when a student, Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman Akanbi, attained a 4.96 CGPA, breaking a decades-long barrier since UDUS’s establishment in 1975. Alongside other outstanding students with excellent results, this achievement sparked widespread reactions and was reported by reputable national media houses.
With just two weeks and a few days to the UDUS@50 and 42nd Convocation Ceremony, a campus-based media outlet, Pen Press UDUS published an editorial viewpoint titled “Why UDUS Should Recognize Outstanding Students.” Following the publication, the then UDUS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bashar Garba, later announced a microbiology student as the best graduating student.
The announcement came during his opening remarks at the 42nd Convocation Ceremony, where he revealed that Sherif, a microbiology graduate, had emerged with a CGPA of 4.92. The program was graced by dignitaries from Sokoto and across the country, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmad Tinubu (ably represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’du Ahmad); His Eminence, Dr. Sa’ad Muhammadu Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto; the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu; the Minister of Education, Dr. Marufu Olatunji Alausa; the Chairman, Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega; and the former Vice-Chancellor of UDUS, Professor Suleiman Bilbis.
During his speech, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, awarded the overall best graduating student, Sherif Abdullahi, with a fully funded trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The governor, himself an alumnus of UDUS, described the gesture as recognition of Abdullahi’s academic excellence. Alongside the award, Sherif had the privilege of exchanging greetings and taking pictures with the dignitaries.
From Campus Struggles to Convocation Glory: How Sherif Defied the Odds to Emerge UDUS’s Best Graduate
In an exclusive interview, Sherif Abdullahi, an indigene of Kebbi State from Ngaska Local Government, shared the story of his remarkable academic journey. Born and raised in Sokoto State, Sherif began his bachelor’s degree at UDUS during the 2019/2020 academic session. Like many students in their early days on campus, he often sought tutorials from mentors and peers.
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His dedication paid off. Sherif excelled with an outstanding CGPA of 4.9 in his first year, a feat he repeated in his second year. Recalling his third year, which he described as the hardest level, he admitted that he didn’t read as much because he was juggling several commitments. Most of his time was dedicated to Islamic school, yet he still achieved a CGPA of 4.91.
By his fourth year, Sherif had taken on even greater responsibilities. He was appointed the Amir of the Muslim Students Association in the Department of Microbiology, while also serving as the Academic Affairs Officer for tutorials. Balancing these leadership roles with his studies and Islamic school was challenging, but it did not interfere with his academic performance. In his final year, he crowned his efforts by graduating with a remarkable CGPA of 4.92.
Reflecting on the financial aspect of his journey, Sherif explained that he was fortunate to be sponsored by the Kebbi State government. To further support himself and ease the burden on his parents, he also worked part-time during his studies.
Faith Crowned With a Hajj Reward
Speaking about his achievements, his face lit up with gratitude. “Alhamdulillah, I feel thrilled with immense joy. I never imagined such recognition. As UDUS’s motto is Iqra (read), I lived by it, sacrificing my time to pursue both western knowledge, through handouts, textbooks, and research, and Islamic knowledge every day on campus.”
When asked about receiving a Hajj slot as part of his recognition, Sherif described it as an overwhelming blessing. “I am a Muslim who understands what pilgrimage means. The gift was beyond my imagination. Alhamdulillah, and may God bless the Sokoto State Governor and Nigeria at large.”
Looking ahead, Sherif expressed his desire to further his studies and expand his research contributions, noting that he already has work published in academic journals. As for the Hajj opportunity, he humbly left it in God’s hands. “I pray that God will guide me, increase my faith, and allow me to be of help to society and humanity at large.”
Sherif was quick to emphasize that his success was not simply the result of personal effort. “This achievement is not by my power or knowledge; it is a blessing from God. I didn’t even read as much as other students, but Alhamdulillah. My story is a dedication to everyone striving for excellence: never lose faith, for with God’s grace, you can achieve beyond your imagination
Hajj Sponsorship Stirs Mixed Reaction
A wave of reactions trailed the award of a Hajj slot to the best graduating student, with many netizens describing it as a “misplaced priority.”
On Facebook, Monday Ari Ovye remarked that while celebrating excellence is commendable, rewarding the best graduating student with Hajj sponsorship raises important questions about priorities in a state where many brilliant youths still struggle with access to jobs, research grants, or startup capital. He argued that true empowerment should go beyond symbolic gestures and directly equip graduates with tools to build careers, innovate, and uplift the economy. According to him, channeling such incentives into scholarships for further studies, seed funding for entrepreneurship, or professional development opportunities would multiply the impact of one success story into many, ensuring that recognition is not just ceremonial but transformative.
Echoing this sentiment, Muhammad Sani commented that “hopefully, he gets pleasing awards. UDUS isn’t so good with awarding excellence and merits.” He further lamented, “How we were left off the hook without at least a verbal congratulatory message is still fresh in my mind, not even from the faculty or department.”
In the same vein, Ma’aji Caleb Zonkwa expressed concern that politicians often struggle to stay focused on core issues. He urged the governor to extend support to individuals with the potential to make a difference by providing access to quality laboratories, thereby empowering them to put their knowledge into practice and contribute to community development.
Similarly, Folorunsho Abolade questioned the rationale behind the reward, asking: “Where lies the correlation between being the best science student and a sponsored pilgrimage to Mecca? Governor Aliyu of Sokoto has chosen to reward a brilliant microbiology graduate with a state-funded Hajj to Saudi Arabia, yet such intellectual excellence would be far better honoured with an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at Harvard or any world-class institution. This gesture, while pious, reflects a troubling misalignment of priorities, where merit is celebrated with ritual rather than empowerment.”
By: Abdullateef Faruq
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