The Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu, has commended the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, for his administration’s expanding investment in the education sector—an approach that is increasingly attracting national recognition and setting a benchmark for purposeful leadership.
In a statement issued by Prof. Maishanu also noted that at a time when Nigeria’s education sector is confronted with significant challenges, including underfunding and declining academic standards.
Governor Aliyu has demonstrated a clear and unwavering commitment to repositioning education as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
According to the Commissioner, the Governor’s interventions extend beyond Sokoto State, reflecting a broader national outlook.
Recent approvals by the governor include a ₦10 million in support of the 6th Annual National Conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, as well as ₦10 million in support of the 44th Annual Conference of the Philosophical Association of Nigeria scheduled for October 2025.
These contributions underscore the administration’s recognition of research, policy dialogue, and critical thinking as essential drivers of national progress.
He further highlighted the Governor’s commitment to celebrating institutional milestones and strengthening academic traditions, citing the ₦40 million donation toward the combined 50th anniversary and 42nd convocation ceremony of Usmanu Danfodiyo University.
Additional support was extended to other institutions across the country, including the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, and Al-Hikmah University, as well as to Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology for its maiden convocation.
Prof. Maishanu emphasised that while these nationwide interventions demonstrate solidarity with institutions across Nigeria, the most profound transformation is taking place within Sokoto State.
The administration has invested heavily in the construction and renovation of lecture halls, the modernisation of learning facilities, and expansion of academic infrastructure across state-owned tertiary institutions.
He also underscored the Governor’s strong focus on human capital development through continuous training and retraining programmes for academic staff, alongside the provision of instructional materials to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
He noted that in expanding access to higher education, the administration has also implemented robust scholarship schemes for students studying both locally and internationally.
While also supporting indigent students through the distribution of JAMB UTME and Direct Entry forms, and organising preparatory programmes to improve examination performance.
The Commissioner further noted that the administration’s collaborative engagement with federal institutions within the state has strengthened academic standards and fostered a more integrated education ecosystem.
“These achievements are firmly anchored in the Governor’s 9-Point Smart Agenda, where education occupies a central position as a driver of socio-economic growth,” Professor Maishanu stated.
“The consistency, scale, and impact of these interventions have not only transformed the educational landscape in Sokoto State but have also drawn national attention as a model worthy of emulation.”
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining the momentum and ensuring that the gains recorded continue to translate into long-term benefits for students, institutions, and the nation at large.
