Nigeria’s first Islamic faith-based university, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, has produced 47 first-class graduates out of 2,211 total graduating students in its 14th convocation and the 20th anniversary of the university.
Speaking with journalists as part of activities marking the convocation ceremony in Ilorin on Monday, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Noah Yusuf, said that it is the first time the school has turned out such a number of graduates.
The VC also said that the school is graduating a total of 1,748 first-degree graduates, 736 second-class (Upper Division), and 886 second-class (Lower Division).
According to him, 79 students bagged third-class degrees, adding that the varsity produced 283 students with master’s degrees.
“Among the graduating students are 79 with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), another 79 passed our Post-Graduate Degree (PGD), and 59 with Ordinary Diplomas,” Professor Yusuf said.
The VC also said that the convocation and the founder’s day events are scheduled for December 31, 2024, and January 7, 2025, respectively.
The VC also announced that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State are expected to deliver the Al-Hikmah University convocation and anniversary lectures, respectively.
Al-Hikmah University’s fifth VC recalled that the school started with 70 students and three faculties in January 2005, saying that the number has increased to over 11,000 students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and diploma students, as well as seven faculties, with the hope to operate from three sites.
He also said that the faith-based university is set to commence its medical programme in the 2024/2025 academic session, particularly with NUC accreditation and the provision of Al-Hikmah University Teaching Hospital (formerly Sobi Specialist Hospital).
Professor Noah Yusuf said that the university’s medical programme is planned to be different and to have a colouration of Islam, such as Prophetic and Natural Medicine, “so that our identity will be reflected in all our programmes.”
He listed some challenges of the university to include additional lecture theatres, student accommodation, expanded infrastructure, and more funding, saying that an endowment fund is planned to solve and take care of some of these challenges.
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