A defining moment of national pride and academic excellence played out on Saturday, September 6, 2025, when Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) conferred honorary doctorates on two towering figures in Nigeria’s military and moral spheres.
Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Rtd.), CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, was awarded the Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) for his outstanding contributions to national defence, counter-insurgency operations, and military reforms. On the other hand, Sheikh Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, a revered Islamic scholar and peace advocate, received the Doctor of Letters (D.Litt. Honoris Causa) in recognition of his unwavering commitment to Islamic education, moral rejuvenation, and national cohesion.
The double conferment, which formed the highlight of UDUS’s 42nd Combined Convocation Ceremony, was met with thunderous applause from dignitaries, academics, and students. The university hailed the honourees as embodiments of its core values: knowledge, peace, security, discipline, and ethical leadership.
Former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), congratulated the duo, describing the honours as “a national recognition for lives lived in service, sacrifice, and the upliftment of society.”
“Gen. Faruk Yahaya has stood firm as a patriot who strengthened Nigeria’s security architecture, while Sheikh Aminu Daurawa shines as a beacon of moral integrity and peacebuilding. Their recognition goes beyond their personal achievements—it represents the hopes of all Nigerians working towards a safer, stronger, and morally upright nation,” Buratai said.
Profiles of the Honourees
Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Rtd.), CFR: Widely respected for his tenure as Nigeria’s 22nd Chief of Army Staff, Yahaya is credited with strengthening counter-terrorism operations, improving troop welfare, and enhancing the discipline and combat readiness of the Nigerian Army.
Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa: A renowned Islamic scholar and Commander of the Kano State Hisbah Corps, Sheikh Daurawa has spent decades advancing Islamic education, promoting peace, and curbing social vices. He is known for facilitating marriages for widows and vulnerable groups, delivering impactful Tafsir sessions, and inspiring millions through his da’awah and reforms.
Observers described the awards as symbolic: honouring the sword that secures the nation and the pen that guides its soul. Together, Yahaya and Daurawa represent Nigeria’s quest for balance between security and spirituality, strength and morality.
