President Dangote Conglomerate, Alh. Aliko Dangote on Friday will deliver a convocation lecture at the 38th edition of Bayero University, Kano.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the latest in the series will feature the business mogul who will deliver a paper on ” The Role of Private Sector in the Building of Sustainable Knowledge in Nigeria”.
Addressing journalists at the pre-convocation media briefing, the Vice Chancellor noted that the special lecture is designed to redefine the connection between academic solutions and the industrial revolution.
Besides, Professor Abbas hinted the 38th graduation ceremony will also feature the confinement of honorary doctorate degree awards to two prominent Nigerians for their tremendous contributions to humanity on Saturday.
Those enlisted to be awarded, according to the VC, include the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, and deputy Senator President, and Senator representing Kano North, Barau Jibril.
Professor Abbas said as part of BUK’s traditional staggered convocation ceremony, graduates from various faculties will receive their certification alongside their families between Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
He added that, of the total 11, 284 students graduating, 180 undergraduates bagged the distinguished first class honor. He stressed that 137 PhD and 3,770 master students will receive their certificates at the grand finale scheduled for Saturday.
According to him, “This year, we have a total of 11,284 students that are going to graduate and be given their degrees. In this convocation, we have a total of 180 with first-class degrees, 317 graduates will receive PhD and 3,770 will receive Master’s degrees in this convocation.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote is to deliver the convocation lecture on Friday, 1st March. The convocation lecture is titled, “Role of Private Sector in Building a Sustainable Knowledge Economy in Nigeria”.
“The reason why we picked him (Dangote) is because we feel the purpose and essence of establishing a university is to serve the communities.
“And we feel, there should be a better and greater role between the university and the private sector. When he comes, he is going to give us talks on this. So we feel this will be the beginning of bridging the gap between the university and the private sector,” the Vice Chancellor said