In a significant academic ceremony, the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology (AFUSTA) in Aliero, Kebbi State, has conferred an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) degree on Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal. The honour was presented during the university’s joint maiden convocation, marking a notable recognition of public service that transcends state boundaries.
The award, detailed in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, underscores a growing trend in Nigerian academia: using honorary degrees to celebrate and reinforce the impact of governance on societal development. The university’s Senate specifically cited Governor Lawal’s documented achievements across critical sectors—education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic revitalization, and workers’ welfare—as the core justification for the honour.
This recognition is more than a ceremonial gesture. Honorary doctorates from reputable institutions serve as powerful validations of a leader’s policy direction and implementation. For Governor Lawal, the award from a neighbouring state’s university may also signal a positive perception of his administration’s work beyond Zamfara’s borders, potentially fostering inter-state collaboration. As noted in the statement, such recognition is intended to galvanize further effort in his “resolve to make Zamfara greater.”
The convocation itself was a milestone event for AFUSTA. University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Danshehu Gwandangaji, revealed that since its founding in 2005, the institution has graduated 7,221 undergraduate students and 669 postgraduate students between the 2010/2011 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. This context highlights the event’s dual significance: it celebrated the achievements of the university’s first large cohort of graduates while using the platform to honour exemplary leadership.
The practice of conferring honorary degrees on public officials is a subject of global discourse. Proponents argue it strengthens town-gown relations, inspires students by connecting academic pursuit to tangible societal impact, and acknowledges non-academic pathways to knowledge and progress. Critics, however, caution against potential politicization of academic honours. The value of the award, therefore, hinges on the transparency and merit-based nature of the selection process, as articulated by AFUSTA’s commitment to recognizing “individuals whose work had meaningful and lasting impact on society.”
For stakeholders in Zamfara and observers of Nigerian politics, this event provides a moment to assess the cited developmental achievements. It also raises questions about the evolving role of universities as civic institutions that engage with and evaluate governance outcomes. The honour bestowed upon Governor Lawal will undoubtedly be seen as both an accolade for past efforts and a benchmark for future performance.
Reported by Shuaib Sadiq for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
