The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned two landmark projects at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
They are further strengthening 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, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital – 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 will enhance academic excellence and research output at the university.
Alhaji Turaki reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to Nigerian universities, emphasizing 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, Professor Attahiru Jega, applauded TETFund for the intervention, stressing that the new lecture hall will ease the pressure on teaching spaces, while the modern laboratories will provide cutting-edge facilities for training health professionals critical to national development.
He also underscored the need for effective maintenance to guarantee longevity and maximum utilization of the projects.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bashir Garba, described the projects as monumental achievements that will transform the academic environment at UDUS.
He noted that the lecture hall will serve as a hub for intellectual discourse and scholarly engagements, while the laboratories will 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 center of excellence in teaching, research, and community service.