By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar
The Vice-Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, Professor Shehu Salihu Muhammad, has highlighted sustained institutional growth, full programme accreditation, and expanding global research partnerships as the university held its 14th convocation ceremony on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
Speaking at the Yar’adua Convocation Arena, Professor Muhammad said the university has grown from an initial enrolment of about 1,000 students to over 20,000 undergraduates and postgraduates, spread across more than 117 academic programmes.
According to him, rising demand for admission into UMYU reflects increasing public confidence in the institution’s academic standards, discipline, and affordability. He stressed that all admissions strictly comply with guidelines issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university has maintained an uninterrupted academic calendar, attributing this to sound governance, adherence to regulatory standards, and a conducive learning environment.
On research and innovation, Professor Muhammad noted that UMYU has strengthened its research culture with support from TETFund and other partners, producing solutions to real-life challenges. He cited the development of an award-winning livestock feed formula in May 2025 aimed at improving animal nutrition and food security, as well as a digital application designed to guide elderly people on appropriate nutrition.
He added that the university has secured national and international research grants, including a major project focused on malaria elimination in Africa. UMYU has also expanded its global footprint through collaboration with Shenzhen University of Science and Technology, China, culminating in the establishment of the Fifth China–Africa Joint Laboratory for Antibody Engineering and Application at the university.
Professor Muhammad further disclosed that all academic programmes of the university are fully accredited, with 28 undergraduate programmes recently assessed by the NUC, expressing optimism about positive outcomes.
On staff welfare, he said the university prioritises merit-driven career progression. As of October 1, 2025, a total of 113 academic staff were promoted to various ranks, including 19 professors and 20 readers, while 37 non-academic staff were also upgraded.
The Vice-Chancellor said student welfare remains central to management decisions, covering campus maintenance, sanitation, water supply, security, and a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment and examination misconduct. He acknowledged the Katsina State Government and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation for interventions that improved water supply and campus greening.
He also noted that UMYU is among the few Nigerian universities that have institutionalised electronic voting for students’ union elections, reinforcing transparency and democratic values.
At the convocation, the university graduated 2,682 students from seven faculties and 27 departments. Professor Muhammad urged the graduands to be guided not only by their academic qualifications but by the values they uphold and their impact on society.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on four distinguished personalities in recognition of their contributions to leadership, public service, and national development.
Professor Muhammad concluded by thanking government officials, university council members, development partners, staff, parents, and guardians for their continued support, urging sustained investment in staffing and infrastructure to meet accreditation requirements and future growth.
