…SSU Unveils Innovation-Focused Programmes
By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
The Chancellor of Sokoto State University (SSU) and Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, has urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and self-reliance as essential tools for national development and economic transformation.
Speaking at the convocation lecture held on Friday as part of the university’s combined 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th convocation ceremonies in Sokoto, the royal father said Nigeria must move beyond dependence on academic certificates and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset capable of creating jobs and wealth.
He said the country could only compete effectively in the global economy if its citizens developed the courage to think creatively, identify opportunities and build sustainable enterprises.
According to him, promoting entrepreneurship among young people is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s human and natural resources and positioning the country among the world’s leading economies.
The Emir expressed optimism that many Nigerians, especially youths, are increasingly embracing innovation and productive ventures that contribute to national development.
He also challenged women to take greater advantage of educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, stressing that their participation is indispensable to the nation’s progress.
“What a man can do, a woman can do better. If you educate a woman, you educate an entire community,” he said.
The monarch noted with satisfaction that women now account for a significant proportion of graduates from Quranic schools in Jigawa State, describing the trend as encouraging for the country’s future.
He urged female students and professionals to remain resilient, innovative and focused on achieving success in their chosen careers.
Representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the event, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Sani Maihula, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening education and entrepreneurship at all levels.
Maihula said the administration would continue to prioritise funding for education, particularly tertiary institutions, to equip graduates with skills that would enable them to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.
Delivering the convocation lecture, renowned technocrat and entrepreneur, Umar Buba Bindir, challenged students to harness innovation, research and creativity to tackle poverty and drive economic growth in Sokoto State and Nigeria.
Bindir rejected the description of Sokoto as Nigeria’s poorest state, arguing that such a characterisation overlooks the state’s abundant human and natural resources.
He said poverty would persist unless students, researchers and policymakers shifted their focus from acquiring certificates to developing practical solutions capable of generating employment, wealth and industrial growth.
The former Secretary to the Adamawa State Government urged undergraduates to identify Sokoto’s comparative advantages through research and transform their findings into commercially viable enterprises, particularly in agriculture, which he described as a sector with enormous untapped potential.
He also emphasised the role of universities as engines of economic development, citing the University of Cambridge as an example of how research-driven institutions contribute significantly to national prosperity.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Sokoto State University, Prof. Mohammed Bello Yerima, disclosed that the institution is repositioning itself to produce job creators and innovators through entrepreneurship-driven education.
He revealed that proposals for new academic programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship and Engineering have been submitted to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for verification and approval.
According to him, the proposed programmes are designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the modern economy and contribute to Nigeria’s technological and economic advancement.
