Borno State Governor, Babangida Zulum, has called on Nigeria’s faith-based universities to prioritize training graduates who are grounded in spirituality and morality. According to Zulum, this is crucial to combat the nation’s growing challenges of corruption and social vices.

The governor made this statement while delivering the 20th-anniversary lecture at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State—the first Islamic faith-based university in Nigeria. His lecture focused on the theme, “Two Decades of Excellence: Al-Hikmah University’s Impact on Scholarship and Educational Development in Nigeria.”

Zulum urged Nigerian youths to embrace a culture of humility, hard work, and respect for elders. Drawing from his personal experience as the son of a peasant farmer and a commercial driver, Zulum emphasized the value of hard work and sacrifice for the greater good.

“I grew up in humble circumstances, and it is through humility and hard work that I have come this far,” Zulum shared. “When I completed my master’s degree, instead of staying in the city, I went back to the farm with my parents. This was a lesson in obedience and humility, and it is what has shaped me into who I am today.”

The governor also spoke on the dangers of seeking shortcuts to success, warning that they often lead to regret and disaster. He emphasized that while hard work is important, humility is the key to long-term success.
“The road to success may be hard, but humility will always take you farther in life,” Zulum concluded.

At the 20th-anniversary dinner and award night, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Professor Noah Yusuf, highlighted the university’s ongoing struggle with inadequate funding. Yusuf explained that the financial challenges had hindered the institution’s ability to meet critical needs, including the construction of hostels and faculty buildings, as well as providing scholarships and research funding.

“We appeal for support from well-wishers to help us build a better future for our students and academic staff,” said Yusuf.

In addition, former Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, praised Dr. AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, the founder of Al-Hikmah University, for his significant contributions to education in Nigeria. Masari lauded Oladimeji’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerian youths through quality education.