By Isiaq Ibrahim

On Wednesday, July 20, 2023, the management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) matriculated 5,962 new students into the university for the 2022/2023 academic session.

The matriculation ceremony had in attendance: Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, Vice Chancellor of the university; Professor Umar Aliyu, the Dean of Students' Affairs; Prof. Chika Umar Aliyu, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences; Prof. M.A Yushau, the Dean of Faculty of Education and Extension Services and other dignitaries of the university.

The distribution of 5,962 matriculants represents newly admitted students across the 13 faculties of the university, with some entering into the 100 level through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and others through Direct Entry (DE) into the 200 level.

Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences took the lead with 1,421 matriculants, followed by Faculty of Education and Extension Services with 1,015 matriculants; College of Health Sciences with 625; Faculty of Agriculture with 549; Faculty of Social Sciences with 460; and Faculty of Physical and Computing Sciences with 523 matriculants.

The remaining faculties: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Design have 316, 271, 249, 197, 122, 113, and 101 matriculants respectively.

Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto is one of the universities established during the military regime of General Muritala R. Muhammad in 1975, it is located in the seat of the caliphate, Sokoto state in Nigeria's Northwestern region.

“Be of Good Conduct and Stay Away from Violence” — VC Tells 5,962 Matriculants

While presenting his speech at the matriculation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. L.S Bilbis admonished the matriculants to be of good conduct and play their roles in maintaining the good image of the university.

“Today is not for matriculating students alone. I want to seize this opportunity to also reiterate to all students the need to continue to be of good behaviour and hard work towards completing their studies on schedule,” the VC's speech reads in part.

He advised the new students to read the students' handbook to serve as a guide for their conduct throughout their stay at the university. 

The VC's speech reads further: “To contribute to nation-building, which is one of the cardinal principles of the university education, students are enjoined to stay away from extremism, immortal acts, indiscipline, violence and intolerance, especially in ethnic, political, and religious matters, as well as the spread of fake news, threat and unverified news especially on the social media.

“With the current security challenges in some parts of the country, especially in the North-west, students are enjoined to be extra vigilant and security conscious, and report any suspicious movement, persons or groups to appropriate organs of the university.”

He concluded that “the university has over forty-five (45) years long-standing and excellent academic tradition. The university is one of the highly disciplined universities and of course the most peaceful university in Nigeria. It is first among equals. It has produced eminent personalities that had, or are presently occupying high profile positions within and outside Nigeria.”

The reporter: Isiaq Ibrahim is a 300-level student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS). He can be reached via [email protected]