Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has announced an endowment for the establishment of a state-of-the-art digital library at Nasarawa State University Keffi.
The announcement formed the highlight of the institution’s graduation of 25,000 students at the 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony and Silver Jubilee attended by distinguished dignitaries, including the Visitor to the University, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule.
Making the legacy announcement at a colourful event held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, she said, “Permit me to announce an endowment in collaboration with NSUK for a state-of-the-art e-digital library for the benefit of humanity.”
Describing the ceremony as a convergence of milestones, the Minister noted that 83 of the graduating students earned first-class honours, underscoring the institution’s academic progress over the past two and a half decades.
“Today’s ceremony is a convergence of milestones. We celebrate the graduation of over 25,000 students, including 83 who have distinguished themselves with first-class honours,” she stated.
Addressing the graduands on national development, she stressed the need to align education with economic realities, urging stronger collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector.
She told the graduands, “You have graduated at the right time, when the country is undergoing strong reform, a period that presents great responsibility and enormous opportunity.” Let us collectively come together to build our beloved country.”
The Minister emphasised that the evolving global environment requires not only academic excellence but also resilience, innovation, and ethical leadership.
She further highlighted progress in women’s participation in higher education, while acknowledging existing gaps.
“Too many women still face systemic barriers, limited access to finance, unequal opportunities in the labour market, and under-representation in leadership and decision-making spaces,” she noted.
Speaking in the presence of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, she encouraged female graduates to aspire to leadership, citing the Tanzanian leader as an example of determination and preparedness.
“She did not become President by waiting for permission; she became President by showing up, by being prepared, and by refusing to accept a ceiling where none needed to exist,” she cited.
The Minister also commended the leadership of the university under the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman.
“We are so proud of you, and we are grateful to all of you for that drive of excellence and commitment to ensuring that education continues to become a priority for the next generation and for us all,” she lauded.
She congratulated the university community on its Silver Jubilee and urged sustained commitment to excellence and national development.
The Minister also charged the graduating students to embrace responsibility and opportunity as the nation undergoes reforms.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of an honorary doctorate on Dr. Mahmood Ahmadu, Executive Chairman of MAG Group, and recognition of industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group.