A PREMIUM TIMES’ review of the details further shows that all the 13 obtained only their first degrees from the 58-year-old institution formerly named the University of Northern Nigeria, save FCT minister Muhammad Bello, who bagged both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from the university, in 1980 and 1987 respectively, after which he graduated from the International University of Africa, Sudan, in 1994.
State environment minister Sharon Ikpeazu on her part went to ABU for IJMB in 1981.
The alumni of the university include the minister of education, Adamu Adamu; industry (state), Maryam Katagum; power (state), Goddy Jedy Agba; water resources, Suleiman Adamu; finance, Zainab Ahmed; agriculture, Sabo Nanono; defence, Bashir Magashi; FCT (state), Ramatu Tijjani; foreign affairs (state), Zubair Dada; sports, Sunday Dare; police affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; humanitarian affairs, Sadiya Faruk.
Now studying for masters in artificial intelligence at the University of Manchester, Nuhu Ibrahim, Ahmadu Bello University’s best graduating student in 2018 and overall best valedictorian (4.94 CGPA) in the 58 years history of the university, said this could be because of ABU’s long heritage and prestige.
“The universities are super old and you would expect that they will have grownup past students,” Mr Ibrahim said over the phone.
“I won’t also deny the fact that graduating from some particular universities has a little impact on the networking factor which has a further impact on overall success,” he added.
Choice universities
University of Lagos placed second, with eight of the nation’s current ministers having obtained at least a degree from the university. Three of them had their formative educational qualification from the university, while the other five enrolled in the school for further studies.
Four other ministers attended University of Jos, but only women affairs minister, Paulen Tallen, had her first degree, in sociology, from the school after which she graduated from John Kennedy School of Government in 2002. Emeka Nwajiuba, state education minister, has a law PhD degree in view from the university.
Likewise, the University of Maiduguri has three alumni among the ministers.
University of Benin, University of Port Harcourt, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Obafemi Awolowo University and Ambrose Alli University have each produced two graduates among the current crop of ministry heads.
University of Ibadan, University of Calabar, Imo State University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and the University of Nigeria each have one ministerial alumni on their roll.
