Motto: to learn and to serve
About the institution
Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) was established in the year 2006 as the Katsina State University by the Katsina State Government. Importantly, it was conceived to serve as a nucleus for socio-economic and political development of the state through – among other means – the provision of highly skilled human resources and research output. From inception, the institution was expected to offer conventional educational system and distance learning mode. In its almost two decades of existence, it houses fifty one (51) undergraduate and fifty two (52) graduate programmes across eight Faculties (Natural & Applied Sciences, Humanities, Education, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Law, Agriculture, and Earth & Environmental Science) and College of Health Sciences and College of Postgraduate Studies. As at the end of the 2023 academic session, the total student population stood at about 13,000, cutting across full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students.
As one of the fast-growing institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as a model among State Universities in Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University aspires to be a world-class university that offers students who pass through its gate with cutting-edge knowledge and skills attuned to the ever-changing demands of the modern world. In attaining this lofty goal, it is committed to providing innovative learning modes, particularly by leveraging on e-learning resources, as well as a conducive space to learn and grow. In its bid to expand frontiers of knowledge in line with its proposed phased development, the institution will in no distant future provide additional 23 programmes.
The research component of the university is also receiving the needed push. The institution has attracted both local and international funding, which significantly boosts its research profile. This is in addition to its emphasis on problem solving methods and skills, aimed at exposing students to current global tides and the challenges of the larger society outside its doors. In line with one of its cardinal objectives, the institution also inculcates entrepreneurship spirit in students so that they can be self-reliant. And as part of its corporate social responsibilities it has planted hundreds of economic trees in selected communities and opened its doors to its neighbours for free medical care.
Staff and standing
The university has a teaching staff population of about 613 (437 as tenure, 18 on contract, and 158 on sabbatical and visiting appointment), out of which 21 are Professors, 39 Associate Professors and 553 as other ranks, and a non-teaching staff population of 547. Many of the teaching staff were trained in some of the best universities in Europe, Asia, and Africa and continue to extend their wealth of knowledge to our students and the communities. UMYU prides itself as one of the universities in Nigeria with an excellent track record of staff trainings and development. With a total number of 103 programmes, the institution has a 90% full accreditation status as at the end of the 2022 academic session.
Facilities and students support
The university has one central library and a good number of faculty libraries and fully equipped resource rooms at departments which together hold thousands of books in addition to thousands of e-resources available offline. It also takes the support for special students seriously, with a desk officer stationed specifically to attend to their needs, and a Department (Special Education) under Faculty of Education devoted to bridging the segregation in the country in terms of access to higher education. This is in addition to a robust Counseling Unit open to both staff and students.
Some of the other services and privileges that are available on campus include: high-speed internet facility with Wi-Fi at some points; excellent road network linking all buildings; habitable undergraduate and graduate hostels, including one mainly for medical students, within easy walking distance to the academic areas and the senate, with options to choose from; sports and recreational facilities; a functional transport system; active students’ union government and religious and departmental associations; an open-door Students Affairs Unit with amiable and supportive staff; functional health service; places of worship without hindrance; and a good social life on campus and hospitable and safe neighbouring community that is open to all. All these are icings on the cake to the magnificent structures that the university is identified with.
Graduate outcomes
UMYU has over the last two decades provided Katsina State in particular with a chunk of its workforce. Many of our students have also found good employment elsewhere, and have been rated as highly employable. This is in addition to their ability to prove their mettle during graduate degrees in the country and abroad. There is also an active alumni network where students can keep in touch with old friends and establish new connections as they enter the world of work.
Ranking and forecast
The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings placed the university at the 43rd position out of the 121 participating universities, 9th out of the 51 participating universities in Nigeria, 2nd out of the 15 Nigerian State Universities, and as 1st out of the 17 universities from Northern Nigeria that participated in 2023. UMYU intends to build on this height in the years to come through introduction of new programmes and review of its curriculums to attend to changing realities. It has also put mechanisms in place to boost the research visibility of its staff, departments and centres, and enhance teaching, research, and community service. The drive is for the institution to continue to thrive and stand tall.
Mission statement
To produce well grounded, God-fearing, and entrepreneurially minded graduates for societal development
Principal officers
Vice chancellor: Professor Shehu Salihu Muhammad
Registrar: Muhammad Yusufu Abubakar
Deputy vice chancellor (Academic): Professor Hamisu Musa
Deputy vice chancellor (Administration): Associate Professor Aliyu Mukhtar Katsina
Bursar: Aminu Ibrahim
Librarian: Associate Professor Sani Abdu Fari
Faculties, Colleges and Schools
Humanities
- Arabic
- English & French
- Nigerian Languages
- History & Security Studies
- Islamic Studies
Education
- Education
- Special Education
- Science and Vocational Education
- Library & Information Sciences
Law
- Public & Private Law
- Sharia and Islamic Law
Natural & Applied Sciences
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Pure & Industrial Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Mathematics & Statistics
Social Sciences
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Economics
- Sociology
Management Sciences
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Local Government & Development Studies
Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Geography
- Metrology
Agriculture
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Agriculture
- Forestry and Wildlife
College of Health Sciences
- Medicine
College of Postgraduate Studies
The College runs graduate degrees ranging from PhDs, masters, and professional masters across various disciplines.
School of Continuing Education
The School offers part-time degree courses cutting across different disciplines
School of Pre-Degree & Remedial Studies
The School provides pre-degree and remedial programmes in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, in addition to immersion courses and others.
Contact
Location: Dutsinma Road, Katsina
Postal address: PMB 2218, Katsina State
Website: www.umyu.edu.ng
Email: registrar@umyu.edu.ng, Info@umyu.edu.ng, Infounit@umyu.edu.ng
Twitter: @umyukatsinanews
Facebook: Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina