UniAbuja, NILDS begin joint postgraduate studies, matriculate 55

n n

University of Abuja, in collaboration with National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), have admitted the first set of 55 postgraduate students for the 2024/2025 academic session.

n

The Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, spoke at the matriculation ceremony held at the NILDS complex on Tuesday in Abuja.

n

Declaring the event open, Fawehinmi said that the institution would run the postgraduate programme in collaboration NILDS.

n

Fawehinmi was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Rosemary Udeozor.

n

“We have come here today to usher you into a great academic pursuit, where many of you will be engaged and assisted in acquiring higher degrees.

n

“By this ceremony, you have become full-fledged students of two great institutions, and I can say that you all are blessed,” he said.

n

The Dean of Social Sciences, UniAbuja, Prof. Mutiullah Olasupo, who gave the background of the collaboration, described the matriculation as a great milestone for the collaboration between the university and NILDS.

n

Olasupo stated that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the collaboration with NILDS to birth its postgraduate programme was signed in 2024.

n

He added that the two institutions started implementing the agreement in 2025 with the admission of students into all the introduced programmes.

n

He listed the courses offered to include: Electoral Management Studies, Democracy and Security Studies, Legislative and Democratic Leadership, Gender and Democratic Governance, and Legislative Entrepreneurship.

n

“These are the five programmes that have been approved by the collaboration committee of these two institutions. The programme will award diplomas, Masters and PhD. degrees.

n

“What is taking place today is specifically to usher in all our students and make them aware of what is academically expected of them,” he added.

n

Olasupo urged the students to demonstrate commitment to achieving high academic excellence according to their areas of specialisation.

n

In his remarks, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said education remained critical in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

n

Sulaiman said that NILDS had continued to evolve in its academic programmes, in the collaboration with UniAbuja.

n

While congratulating the matriculating students, Sulaiman urged them to obey the laws and regulations of the two institutions.

n

He said that the admission was transparently done, with 47 per cent female and 43 per cent male students.

n

The oath-taking was administered by the acting Registrar of UniAbuja, Prof. Mohammed Sambo.

n

The high point of the event was the symbolic signing of the matriculation register by the matriculating students.

n n