Al-Qalam University, Katsina, is set to confer a posthumous Doctorate Degree of Letters on the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua during its 16th convocation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2024.

This was disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nasiru Musa-Yauri, during a press briefing in Katsina on Monday. The recognition, he said, is a tribute to Yar’Adua’s impactful legacy and contributions to Nigeria.

Other honorees include the late Walin Daura, Alhaji Sani Buhari, and Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, who will receive honorary Doctorates of Business Administration. Additionally, Alhaji Bilya Sanda will be honored with a Doctorate in Islamic Studies. Prof. Musa-Yauri highlighted that the ceremony will celebrate 1,433 graduates from the 2023/2024 academic session, including 22 first-class, 218 second-class upper, 641 second-class lower, 499 third-class, and 53 pass degree holders. Seven postgraduate students will be conferred with PhDs, while two will receive MScs and 12 professional Master’s degrees.

The convocation week will feature several activities, including a novelty football match between the university’s alumni and current students on Wednesday, and the final of the university’s Quranic recitation competition on Thursday. Prof. Musa-Yauri noted that the competition, initiated last year, has become an annual tradition, with participants across various categories benefiting from a N12 million donation by the Chancellor, Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

A pre-convocation lecture titled “The Unfolding Liberalisation and Tax Reforms in Nigeria: Our Economic Realities are Consistent with Policy Direction” will take place on Friday, delivered by Dr. Ahmed Bello-Dogarawa.