Kwankwaso, Dantata, others bag honorary doctorate at Northwest University convocation

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, and four other distinguished Nigerians have been honoured with honorary doctorate degrees by Northwest University, Kano, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to education, entrepreneurship, and national development.

The awards were conferred during the university’s second combined convocation ceremony held on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The event was attended by dignitaries, academics, traditional rulers, students, and parents.

Senator Kwankwaso received an Honorary Doctor of Education (Honoris Causa) for his pioneering efforts in establishing the university and implementing extensive educational reforms during his tenure as governor. His initiatives included the construction of numerous secondary schools, vocational centres, and the provision of scholarships for thousands of students both within and outside Nigeria.

Late elder statesman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, was posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to Islamic scholarship, philanthropy, and commercial development.

Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata was similarly recognised with an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities for her efforts in promoting girl-child education and humanitarian causes.

In the entrepreneurship category, Alhaji Aliyu Sa’adu Bebeji and Alhaji Adamu Yahaya Maikifi received Honorary Doctorates for their remarkable contributions to business and employment generation in Kano and beyond.

In his remarks at the convocation, Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the awardees for their enduring legacy and reiterated his administration’s focus on revitalising the education sector. He revealed that he had personally funded parts of the university’s staff quarters while serving as Commissioner of Works under the Kwankwaso administration.

“Because of my zeal to make sure Northwest University came into existence, I used my personal money to build some parts of the university,” Governor Yusuf disclosed.

He also announced that previously abandoned projects on the campus have resumed, while the government now pays over ₦423 million monthly in staff salaries. He added that the state’s 2025 budget allocates 31.1% to education—surpassing UNESCO’s recommended benchmark.

The ceremony also marked the official return of the university’s original name—Northwest University—symbolising a renewed commitment to educational excellence and visionary leadership.