ADG Celebrates 50th Anniversaries of Northern Universities

The Arewa Discussion Group (ADG) is celebrating the golden jubilee of four major universities in Northern Nigeria, praising them as key drivers of regional development and national unity.

In a statement released today, the Chairman of the group, Alhaji Maisudan Muhammed Bello, Tafidan Dutse highlighted the significant contributions of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), and the University of Jos (UNIJOS), all of which were founded in 1975.

Speaking on behalf of the ADG, spokesperson Dr. Garba Abari described the institutions as “beacons of hope and progress,” noting their crucial role in transforming the intellectual landscape of Northern Nigeria against considerable challenges.

The four universities have collectively educated over 150,000 students and achieved notable breakthroughs in various fields. Founded in October 1975, the University of Jos has grown from just 575 students to over 35,000 and is recognized for pioneering Nigeria’s first university research policy in 2011.

For over a decade, UNILORIN has been Nigeria’s most sought-after university by applicants and is at the forefront of agricultural technology, pioneering innovations such as drought-resistant crops. Despite its location in a region affected by conflict, UNIMAID has become an intellectual fortress in the Northeast, focusing on advancing conflict-resolution research to foster peace.

Finally, Usmanu Danfodiyo University has established itself as a global hub for Islamic scholarship while also making significant contributions to veterinary medicine.

Beyond their academic achievements, these universities are credited with upholding the legacy of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, by fostering cultural integration under his famous creed: “What unites us outweighs what divides us.”

To support the next 50 years of these institutions, the Arewa Discussion Group announced several commitments and urged key stakeholders to act. The ADG plans to lobby for increased security and funding for the universities. It is also deploying its $50 million Arewa Tech Fund to help create “smart campuses” and is scaling up its Conditional Cash Transfers scholarship program, providing N60,000 annually to female students.

The group also issued a strong call to action, urging all Nigerians to reject divisions and instead embrace Northern Nigeria’s “infinite wall of greatness.”

The statement concluded with a plea for support for UNILORIN’s N50 billion endowment fund and research grants for UNIJOS, emphasizing the need for continued investment in these foundational institutions.

By PRNigeria