Tinubu hails Sultan of Sokoto as symbol of national peace as FUOYE honours him, Kukah, others
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was described by President Tinubu as having consistently distinguished himself as a bridge-builder and a multifaceted leader whose efforts have contributed to peace and harmony across Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, as a foremost symbol of national peace and unity.
The President made the remark at the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the university’s main auditorium in Ekiti State. Tinubu spoke as Visitor to the university, underscoring the significance of the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration conferred on the Sultan.
Represented by the Sarki Fulani of Lagos, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammed Abubakar Banbado II, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was described by President Tinubu as having consistently distinguished himself as a bridge-builder and a multifaceted leader whose efforts have contributed to peace and harmony across Nigeria.
The Sultan was among several eminent Nigerians honoured at the ceremony. Others included a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, retired Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. The honorary degrees were conferred by the Chancellor of FUOYE and Attah of Igala, Dr. Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa, assisted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Udoma-Egba.
Also speaking on behalf of the President, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, highlighted achievements of the Tinubu administration in the education sector. He said the Federal Government had invested over ₦120 billion to expand access to quality higher education for Nigerian youths.
Delivering the convocation lecture, Bishop Kukah called for greater national cohesion and inclusiveness, stressing that managing Nigeria’s diversity remained key to sustainable development. Reflecting on the country’s political history, he argued that repeated state creation had contributed to some of Nigeria’s challenges and urged leaders to focus on unity and mutual trust across ethnic and religious lines.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina outlined major milestones recorded by FUOYE under his leadership, including the graduation of the university’s first set of law graduates. He also announced that the 10th convocation would be his last as Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Fasina disclosed that out of over 7,000 graduating students, 131 earned First Class honours, 2,519 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 3,777 with Second Class Lower, 966 with Third Class, while three obtained Pass degrees.
He further announced that the Overall Best Graduating Student was Adeniyi Maryam Adedolapo of the Department of Medical Sciences (Anatomy), who graduated with a CGPA of 4.89. In recognition of her achievement, the Vice-Chancellor awarded her ₦500,000. Additional cash gifts were presented by the Pro-Chancellor, Senator Udoma-Egba (₦500,000), the Attah of Igala, Dr. Akpa (₦150,000), and the Muslim community of FUOYE, among others.
The convocation ceremony also featured goodwill messages from the Pro-Chancellor, Senator Victor Udoma-Egba, and other dignitaries.
