13/08/2026
GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY HONOURS 21 SCHOLARS AT MAIDEN PROFESSOR SANI AHMED YAUTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
13th August, 2026
Gombe State University (GSU) has honoured 21 distinguished scholars for outstanding achievements in research and scholarship at the maiden Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta Award of Excellence, held on Wednesday, 12th August 2026, at the Usman Shehu Abubakar Hall (Old Multipurpose Hall), Gombe State University.
The award night, conceived by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, and organised by the Directorate of Research and Development, was instituted to recognise and celebrate members of the University community who have distinguished themselves through exceptional research output, high-impact publications and success in securing competitive research grants.
The ceremony attracted prominent dignitaries, including the Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Habu Dahiru; the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari; the Honourable Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Turaki; the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Honourable Shehu Yerima Abdullahi; and other distinguished guests. Also in attendance were the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, the Vice-Chancellor of Jewel University, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and other heads of institutions across the State. While the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, led members of the University Management and the University community to the event.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to scholars who had demonstrated exceptional performance in research, particularly through publications in Q1-ranked journals, as well as those who had successfully attracted competitive research funding.
Dr Aliyu Muhammed Awwal of the Department of Mathematics emerged as the first-place winner in the Q1 publication category, receiving a cash prize of ₦300,000 for his outstanding record of 21 Q1 publications. Professor Nasiru Inuwa of the Department of Economics received the second-place award of ₦250,000, having recorded nine Q1 publications, while Dr Zaccheus Shehu emerged third with eight Q1 publications, receiving ₦200,000. Other scholars who met the criteria for recognition for their Q1 publications received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their scholarly contributions.
In the research grant category, Dr Yunana Ahmed of the Department of Languages and Linguistics was recognised for his outstanding achievement in securing a US$300,000 research grant, highlighting the University's growing capacity to attract competitive external research funding.
The award ceremony also provided a platform for the University to celebrate academic excellence and encourage its scholars to pursue impactful and solution-driven research, publish in reputable international journals and actively seek competitive research grants that contribute to national and global development.
In their goodwill messages, the Honourable Commissioners for Education, Works, Land and Physical Planning, and Special Duties, as well as the Vice-Chancellor of Jewel University, commended the Gombe State University Management for initiating the award, describing it as a timely and strategic intervention for motivating scholars, promoting research and strengthening the University's visibility and reputation on the global academic stage.
They particularly applauded the University's efforts to create an environment in which research excellence is recognised, rewarded and encouraged, noting that such initiatives would further enhance the quality and visibility of scholarship emanating from Gombe State University.
The maiden Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta Award of Excellence therefore marks a significant milestone in the University's continuing efforts to institutionalise a culture of research excellence, recognise scholarly achievement and motivate members of staff to contribute meaningfully to knowledge creation, innovation and societal development.
The initiative further reinforces Gombe State University's commitment to advancing research, innovation, academic excellence and global visibility as central pillars of its institutional development agenda.
Hadu Naphtali Ligari
Public Relations Office.
