BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SOKOTO STATE UNIVERSITY
The area that constitutes the present day Sokoto State predates the creation of Nigeria. The Sokoto Caliphate emerged out of the Songhai Empire, the Kebbi Kingdom of Muhammad Kotal Kanta, the Kingdom of Zamfara, and the Gobir Kingdom. The Area witnessed the intermingling of people since the stone-age period as recorded by Basil Davidson and Garba Nadama in their scholarship. However, the ancient civilization that existed as early as 500AD and up to 1500AD was one of acquiring Islamic Knowledge and History and what brought about the appearance of the great Kingdom of Kanta of Kebbi and subsequent Hausa-City states and, later, the Sokoto Caliphate.
The idea to set up the Sokoto State University was being nurtured a long time ago by successive governments. This idea, however, came to fruition only in 2009 when His Excellency, the former Executive Governor of Sokoto State Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) signed the law establishing the institution. In August 2013, the Academic Programmes took off in the three Faculties; Arts and Social Sciences, Education and Science. The University campus was commissioned on 29th October, 2013 by former Head of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, under the leadership of the former Executive Governor Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, with the support of the able leadership of the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Nuhu O. Yaqub, OFR. Currently, the University offers 62 Academic programmes across the Five Faculties. Plans are underway to launch more academic programmes as the University enters its second phase of infrastructural and academic developments.
The University is currently headed by an Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. M. B. Yerima, as the fourth Vice-Chancellor, who was appointed by the present Visitor, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA Governor of Sokoto State. The University has Two (5) research centres. They are:
- Centre for the Study of the Sokoto Caliphate
- Research and Development Centre of Excellence
- Center for Mathematics Studies
- Enterprenuership Center
- Equipment and Maintenance Center
In addition, preparations have been concluded for the commencement of new Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. The school of Postgraduate Studies has commenced academic activities in 2021/2022 academic session.
VISION To become a world class Institution that produces globally competitive graduates who can advance economic development and who are prepared to meet the challenges of their time.
MISSION The mission of the Sokoto State University is to:
- Pursue excellence in research, teaching and community service;
- Be dedicated to having quality leadership, sound management of all resources and high degree of integrity and accountability;
- Strive to produce the best quality academic programmes to meet the needs of diverse students, and
- Create an environment conducive for teaching, learning, and the actualization of human potential.
CORE VALUES The core values of the University shall be:
- Dedication to public good;
- Fairness, social justice and equality;
- Honesty and integrity;
- Accountability and transparency;
- Shared and democratic governance.
PHILOSOPHY The philosophy of the University shall be geared towards: satisfaction of society’s demand for knowledge through teaching and research; upholding truth and social justice; rendering selfless services; promoting and preserving academic freedom and fundamental values of the society. By this, the needs and aspirations of the people of Sokoto State shall be a priority.
OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY
The objectives of the University shall be to:
- Provide access to quality education in order to help individuals actualize and develop their potentials to the fullest;
- Engage in research towards the advancement of Sokoto State in particular and the Nigerian nation in general;
- Complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the training of high-level manpower in the country; Create and enhance access to University education to all indigenes of Sokoto State;
- Advance human culture and improve human life through the development, and dissemination of knowledge;
- Integrate the University with its community through continuing education courses;
- Excel at using research and other scholarly endeavors towards providing better learning opportunities for all students to enable them, at graduation, use the knowledge gained for positive purposes;
- Provide service to the people of Sokoto State that are products of the educational and research programmes of the University;
- Participate in activities of national and international organizations which enhance cooperation, development and peace and;
- Carry out other activities appropriate to a University of the highest standard.