Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group and chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, has announced a N15 billion five-year development plan to enhance infrastructure and academic excellence at the institution.
Dangote made the announcement on Saturday during his second investiture as chancellor at the university’s 5th combined convocation ceremony held in Wudil.
“The N15 billion fund, to be managed by the Dangote Foundation, will support the construction of additional student hostels, a world-class engineering laboratory, a 24-hour internet-enabled computer laboratory, and a befitting Senate building,” Dangote said.
He also pledged that the best graduating students from the institution would receive automatic employment in his various companies across Nigeria.
The university’s vice chancellor, Prof. Musa Yakasai, revealed that over 18,000 students were graduating across various disciplines, encompassing seven combined graduating sets, with 2,950 postgraduate students receiving their degrees and diplomas.
The visitor to the university and governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, assured the audience of his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing state-sponsored projects at the institution.
“We are committed to completing all ongoing projects initiated by the previous administration in order to enhance the development and growth of the institution,” the governor stated.
As part of the convocation ceremony, the university conferred honorary doctorate degrees (honoris causa) on five distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to society.
The awardees included Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, Dr. Ahmed Adeniyi Raji, SAN, Prince Arthur Eze, and Alhaji Mustapha Ado Muhammad. Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Senator Kwankwaso expressed gratitude for the recognition and congratulated the graduates.
“We appreciate the university management for this honor and urge the graduating students to always represent the institution with pride wherever they go,” he said.