The Emir of Dutse and Chancellor of Sokoto State University, Alhaji Hameem Sanusi, has urged students to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to self-reliance and national development.
Sanusi made the call on Friday in Sokoto during the university’s convocation lecture marking its combined fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth convocation ceremonies.
He advised graduates to look beyond conventional careers by identifying their talents and passions, transforming them into profitable businesses capable of creating lasting economic opportunities.
According to him, entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling unemployment, generating wealth and placing Nigeria firmly on the path of sustainable development.
“If the country is to forge ahead and compete with other nations, young people must think outside the box and embrace entrepreneurship,” he said.
The traditional ruler recalled establishing a mechanical engineering company after returning from studies abroad, in spite of criticism that an Emir’s son should not become a mechanic.
He said the business later flourished, proving critics wrong while fulfilling his lifelong ambition of building a successful engineering enterprise through determination and hard work.
Sanusi encouraged women to become more innovative and confident in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities, stressing that educating a woman ultimately translates into educating an entire community.
He noted that women now constitute the majority of graduates from Quranic schools in Jigawa State, describing the development as encouraging for Nigeria’s future.
Also speaking, Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, who represented Gov. Ahmed Aliyu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening education through sustained investment.
The governor assured participants that tertiary education would continue receiving adequate funding as part of the administration’s broader strategy for human capital development and entrepreneurship promotion.
Guest speaker, Dr Umar Bindir, challenged students to deploy research, innovation and creativity towards reducing poverty while stimulating economic growth across Sokoto State and Nigeria.
Bindir rejected the description of Sokoto State as Nigeria’s poorest state, arguing that its abundant human and natural resources could transform its economic fortunes.
He urged researchers and students to identify the state’s comparative advantages and convert research outcomes into commercially viable enterprises, particularly within the agricultural sector.
“Universities should drive economic development through research that addresses societal challenges and creates employment opportunities,” Bindir said.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Yerima, said the university was strengthening entrepreneurship education to produce graduates capable of creating jobs instead of depending on scarce employment opportunities.
