The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned two projects at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), to further strengthen the institution’s capacity for teaching, learning, and research.
The projects, a state-of-the-art 1,150-capacity lecture and conference hall at the university’s permanent site, and a fully equipped block of laboratories for the Faculty of Allied Sciences at the College of Health Sciences, were unveiled on Wednesday as part of activities marking UDUS’s 50th anniversary.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Chairman of the TETFund Governing Board, Alhaji Bello Masari, represented by the Northwest Board Representative, Alhaji Ibrahim Turaki.
He described the facilities as transformational “game-changers” that would enhance academic excellence and research output at the university.
Turaki reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to Nigerian universities, emphasising that the projects were designed to meet both current demands and future growth in health sciences and multidisciplinary education.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Attahiru Jega, applauded TETFund for the intervention, stressing that the new lecture hall would ease the pressure on teaching spaces, while the modern laboratories would provide cutting-edge facilities for training health professionals critical to national development.
Jega also underscored the need for effective maintenance to guarantee longevity and maximum utilisation of the projects.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Bashir Garba, described the projects as monumental achievements that would transform the academic environment at UDUS.
He noted that the lecture hall would serve as a hub for intellectual discourse and scholarly engagements, while the laboratories would significantly raise the standard of education in medical and allied health sciences.
The Director of Physical Planning highlighted the modern architectural design and technical standards of the facilities, noting their compliance with international best practices.
He explained that the laboratories were specifically developed to support hands-on training in medical, pharmaceutical, and allied sciences, equipping students with globally competitive skills.
Stakeholders, including staff and students present at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to TETFund for addressing the infrastructure deficit in the Nigerian higher education system.
With the commissioning of these facilities, Usmanu Danfodiyo University further consolidates its position as a centre of excellence in teaching, research, and community service.
