By KatsinaTimes Reporter
The Vice-Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, Professor Nasiru Isah Yauri, has announced a series of academic, cultural, and infrastructural activities to mark the university’s forthcoming convocation ceremony, scheduled to hold from January 22 to January 24, 2026.
Professor Yauri disclosed this during a press briefing held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at his office, where he outlined the programme of events and highlighted key achievements of the institution over the past four years.
According to him, activities will commence on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with a novelty football match between staff and students at the University Sports Complex, scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the university will host its convocation lecture at the Muhammad Sanusi II ICT Hall. The lecture will be delivered by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, a distinguished academic and diplomat who previously served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Minister of External Affairs, and Chief of Staff to a former Nigerian President.
The lecture is titled “A Divided North in a Divided Nation: The Imperative of Promoting Inclusive and Accountable Governance in Nigeria in a Rapidly Changing World Order.” Professor Yauri described the lecture as timely and significant in addressing Nigeria’s evolving governance and national cohesion challenges.
Later on Friday, the Vice-Chancellor said the university will commission several major projects executed by the management over the last four years. These include the University Sports Complex, a six-classroom academic block, a new central library, a modern students’ hostel, internal road networks, and other completed infrastructure projects.
The main convocation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, during which degrees and prizes will be awarded to graduating students. Professor Yauri announced that 1,109 students will receive first degrees across 28 academic programmes.
A breakdown of the results shows that 18 graduates will earn First Class honours, 230 will graduate with Second Class Upper Division, 507 with Second Class Lower Division, 336 with Third Class degrees, while 80 students will receive Pass degrees. In addition, the university will award 17 Master’s degrees (MSc/MA) and 11 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that the university will confer honorary doctorate degrees on two distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to public service, education, and religious leadership.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, will be honoured with a Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa). Professor Yauri said the recognition reflects Masari’s contributions to governance and his role in supporting the establishment and development of Al-Qalam University.
Also to be honoured is His Royal Highness Eze Abul-Fattah Chima Eze Emetumadito, an Islamic scholar, community leader, and member of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He will receive a Doctor of Islamic Studies (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contributions to Islamic propagation (Da‘awah) and leadership of the Muslim community in South-East Nigeria.
Professor Yauri also announced that the university’s annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition will hold its grand finale on Thursday morning at the Muhammad Sanusi II ICT Hall, with cash prizes of ₦1 million each for the overall winners in the male and female categories.
He invited members of the public, the academic community, and religious organisations to participate in the convocation activities, describing the event as a celebration of academic excellence, service, and institutional growth.
