Until recently, Zamfara State University, Talata-Mafara, was not the first choice for many students. Even though the school had big dreams when it was established, it struggled with a significant problem: most of its courses were not accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
This challenge created a major reputational crisis for the school, as many students shied away from publicly identifying with the school. Another major problem was that it affected the school’s ranking compared to other universities in the country. Furthermore, expectedly, parents were worried, and some students even left for different schools with accredited courses and better rankings. It was a tough time for the university.
However, things took a new turn this year.
Between February 16 and 26, 2025, the NUC conducted an accreditation exercise at the school. When the results were released, it was all good news. All 28 academic programmes offered by the university were accredited. Out of these, 20 courses received full accreditation, while 8 got interim accreditation.
“This is a big win for us,” said Dr Aisha Ibrahim, a lecturer in the Faculty of Arts. “It means our hard work has paid off, and our students can now graduate with pride.”
Courses like Political Science, Computer Science, Economics, Biology, and Microbiology were among those fully accredited. These are some of the most popular courses in Nigerian universities today, and their accreditation is expected to attract more students to the school.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aminu Bakura, stated that the school has already begun receiving increased interest from students and parents. “People now see that we are serious. We are ready to offer quality education that meets national standards,” he said.
Behind this significant achievement was teamwork. The entire university community, including staff (both academic and non-academic), worked tirelessly, sometimes through the night, to prepare for the NUC visit. They ensured that classrooms were improved, libraries received new books and furniture, and science laboratories were upgraded.
Nevertheless, the real game-changer was the support from the Zamfara State Government.
Governor Dauda Lawal ensured that the university received the necessary funds and resources. He paid attention to every detail and made sure nothing was lacking. “We believe in the power of education,” the governor said. “This is just the beginning of better things for our children.”
The governor’s support made it easier for the university to meet all the conditions required by the NUC.
Looking forward, the university has big plans. More buildings are coming up. There are talks of starting postgraduate programmes and forming partnerships with schools outside Nigeria. The goal is to make Zamfara State University one of the best in the country.
For now, the atmosphere on campus is filled with joy and hope. Students are happy, lecturers are proud, and the people of Zamfara are celebrating.
“This is our time,” said student union president Usman Bello. “We have been through a lot, but now, the world will finally recognise us.”
Indeed, with teamwork and strong government backing, Zamfara State University is now ready for the spotlight.
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