Al-Istiqama University Honours Late Aminu Dantata With Posthumous Doctorate

Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, has conferred a posthumous honorary doctorate degree on the late business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in recognition of his contributions to society.

The award was presented at the university’s 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation Ceremony held in Sumaila on Saturday.

Other distinguished Nigerians honoured with honorary doctorate degrees at the ceremony were Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil and Alhaji Abdulmuminu Maishanu (A.Y. Shafa).

The university said the honours were in recognition of the recipients’ immense contributions to the development of society.

In his keynote address, the founder and proprietor of the institution, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, said the decision to establish the university in Sumaila, headquarters of Sumaila Local Government Area, was a deliberate effort to bridge the educational gap between rural and urban communities.

According to him, the initiative was also designed to reduce rural-to-urban migration by providing young people with access to higher education and other opportunities within their communities.

Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the National Assembly, said rural-to-urban migration had continued to put pressure on urban infrastructure and livelihoods.

He said the establishment of Al-Istiqama University was therefore aimed at demonstrating that quality higher education and economic opportunities could be made available in rural communities.

«“By bringing a university of international standard directly to this rural area, we are reversing that trend, and we are proving that higher education, economic opportunities, and urban development abound, not just in rural communities, but right here in our local communities,” he said.»

He added that the institution was empowering young people, stimulating the rural economy and creating an environment where knowledge and skills could be developed within local communities.

The senator also acknowledged the contributions of the university’s principal officers, community leaders, elders, institutions and government agencies to the development of the institution.

“We began as a mission to expand access to quality, value-binding higher education in our nation, and today it has matured into a vibrant institution of academic excellence and character development,” he said.

Kawu Sumaila also commended the former chairman of the university, His Royal Highness Alhaji Jamiru Abdulkarim, for his leadership, personal guidance and contribution to the growth of the institution.

Governor Yusuf: Education Remains a Priority

In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed support for the establishment of the university, saying its objectives were consistent with his administration’s educational agenda.

The governor disclosed that his administration had sponsored the continuation of studies of 85 medical and engineering students at the university.

Yusuf recalled that when he assumed office in 2023, he declared a state of emergency in the education sector, which he said was in a critical condition at the time.

“Today, we are three years down the line celebrating our success in that direction,” the governor said.

1,104 Students Graduate

A total of 1,104 students graduated from Al-Istiqama University during the combined convocation.

The graduates received various degrees earned during the 2023, 2024 and 2025 academic sessions of the institution.