Nigerian University Awards $20,000 Prize to Best-Graduating Student
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Loading... - Daniel Oguche
- 13 Nov 2024
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Baze University, a private institution located in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, has made headlines by awarding a $20,000 prize to its best graduating student, Farid Hammayo. The announcement was made during the university's 11th convocation, where a total of 749 students graduated, including 30 who achieved a First Class degree.
Farid Hammayo, 21, graduated with an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.96 on a 4.0 scale, earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Economics. The Chancellor of Baze University, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, presented the prize during the ceremony, highlighting Hammayo's exceptional academic performance.
In addition to Hammayo's recognition, the Chancellor also announced awards for the two best postgraduate students: Susan Obasi, who completed her MSc in Management, and Adeola Ayoola, who graduated with a M.Eng in Civil Engineering. Both students achieved a perfect 5.0 CGPA in their respective programs. Baba-Ahmed offered them either a full tuition-free PhD opportunity at Baze University or a job opportunity within the institution.
The convocation ceremony celebrated the graduation of 749 students, with 30 achieving First Class honors. The university also awarded a posthumous honorary degree to the late Wazirin Dutse, Mukhtar Muhammad, a former Air Vice Marshal and Military Governor of old Kaduna State, who passed away in October 2017 at the age of 73.
In his speech, Chancellor Baba-Ahmed reflected on the university's journey, noting that the idea for Baze University was conceived 28 years ago and officially established 16 years ago in 2011. Since its inception, the university has produced 4,021 graduates across 10 convocations. Currently, Baze University has a registered student population of approximately 5,000, offering 44 undergraduate and 59 postgraduate programs across nine faculties on its 12,000-capacity main campus.
Baba-Ahmed emphasized the university's commitment to providing research-intensive and market-responsive programs that address the evolving needs of both local and global communities. However, he also acknowledged the challenges faced by the institution, including rising interest rates, increased electricity tariffs, and the depreciation of the Naira against the dollar.
He expressed concern over the disparities in the higher education sector, stating, “While genuine long-term investors like Baze commit lifetime resources and borrow heavily to build campuses, others are permitted to rent buildings and operate as universities with only a fraction of our annual interest costs. Such disparities are unfair to stakeholders, investors, and the nation.”
Baze University's recognition of academic excellence through substantial prizes reflects its commitment to fostering a culture of achievement and encouraging students to strive for excellence. As the institution continues to navigate challenges in the educational landscape, its focus on quality education and market relevance remains a priority.
