By Abbas Badmus 

PalmPay Nigeria Limited has launched a major educational support initiative with the introduction of a N10 million scholarship fund for students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK). Under the scheme, 20 students will each receive N500,000, making BUK the pioneer beneficiary of PalmPay’s planned nationwide scholarship programme.

The Managing Director of PalmPay, Mr. Chika Nwosu, formally presented a symbolic cheque of N10 million to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, FSI, during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 19th November 2025. Nwosu said the company selected BUK as the starting point of the initiative in recognition of its status as one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions of learning.

He disclosed that PalmPay has earmarked N2.4 billion to support students across more than 50 tertiary institutions in Nigeria. According to him, the scholarship scheme aligns with the company’s commitment to giving back to its predominantly youthful customer base while contributing to the country’s educational and human-capital development.

Nwosu expressed appreciation to BUK students for their continued loyalty, assuring that the company would remain steadfast in creating opportunities that uplift young Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, lauded PalmPay for the generous intervention and reaffirmed the university’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with the company, particularly in areas of corporate social responsibility and student empowerment.

To seal the partnership, Professor Musa, Mr. Nwosu, and the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Mukhtar Bunza, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the formal commencement of the scholarship programme at the institution.

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The grant is being implemented under the “Blueprint-ICT-Dev” initiative—a collaborative project between the Federal Ministry of Education and AFD, in partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, through its “Digital Africa” initiative.

Announcing the development, the Nigerian University System ICT-Driven Project (NUSIDP) said the 10 universities were selected through a competitive process. The shortlisted institutions include Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), University of Jos, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, among others.

The grant will be used to fund digital infrastructure, learning platforms, and curriculum development tailored toward innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills across the selected institutions.

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TECHDIGEST – PRNigeria’s Head of Fact-Checking and Special Investigations, Dahiru Lawal Mohammed has bagged the Professor Ali Pantami Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Digital Economy in Information and Media Studies, while another graduate, Muhammad Salisu Danmande bagged Professor Muhammad Bashir Ali prize for best graduating student in Public Relations in Mass Communication.

The awards were conferred on them at the Grand Finale of the 37th Convocation of Bayero University Kano for the 2019/2020 academic session.

Other Awardees are Professor Balarabe Maikaba Prize for best graduating student in mass media research won by Fatima Idris; Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Prize for the best graduating student in Broadcasting in Mass Communication won by Yakubu bn Adam.

READ ALSO: Two Nigerian Startups Win $300,000 At LEAP’s Competition in Riyadh

Other included Professor Musa Muhammad Borodo Prize for the best graduating student in MBBS won by Aminu Salisu Haruna; L&Z integrated farmers prize for the best graduating student in Animal Science won by Hauwa Yusuf Ibrahim and BUK Sassakawa African Fund Prize in Agricultural Extension won by Idris Yakubu Ya’u.

Similarly, Engr Ibrahim Khalil Inuwa Prize for the best graduating student in medical engineering is won by Jamilu Danjuma; Intergraph Consultants Prize for the best graduating student in Architecture won by Abdulrahman Isa among other prize winners of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic session.

Reacting, Mr Dahiru appreciated his lecturers for their mentorship and supports and vowed to continue breaking new grounds in Digital Media Economy.

Meanwhile, the convocation also witnessed the investiture of the 4th Chancellor of the University, His Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin who was conferred with an Award of of Doctor of Law Honoris Kausa.

While speaking, the Oba commended the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas for his untiring effort in sustaining BUK as one of the top universities in Nigeria.

Oba Ewuare 11 proposed the establishment of the council of university chancellors to interface with the Federal Government in order to promote industrial harmony and prevent incessant strikes.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas congratulated all graduates and prize winners, urging them to represent the university well in making positive difference in their respective communities.

Prof Abbas has established world class digital TV and radio broadcasting station among other achievements.

He also announced that the university would soon acquire broadband infrastructure for unlimited internet connectivity on the campuses.

At the 36th/37th combined convocation, 16,581 bachelor’s degrees from 16 faculties were awarded while 8,771 higher degrees and Post Graduate Diplomas were also awarded to graduates.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – Bayero University Kano, Department of Mass Communication has emerged best in Nigeria having scored 99.7% in the last Nigerian Universities Accreditation’s (NUC) exercise.

Amongst all the Department of Mass Communication accredited nationwide in January 2022, BUK Mass Communication Department is the highest on the scoresheets.

The Head, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Mainasara Kurfi said this is the highest grade ever gotten in Mass Communication , not only In Bayero University Kano but the entire Universities offering mass Communication in Nigeria.

“ The NUC go to various programmes of a university, inspect all the facilities they have, their equipment, staff strengths and everything that may be required. So the NUC, having realized we have all the requirements as well as the Digital Radio station and Television, it is on that basis They scored us 99.7% which is the highest grade ever gotten in Mass Communication , not only In Bayero University Kano but the entire Universities offering mass Communication in Nigeria.”

“It means BUK Mass Communication has all it takes and all the requirements, the staff strengths, the facilities and everything that is part of the requirement to operate a fully Department of mass Communication” He added.

Kurfi also noted that, Going by the NUC accreditation result, BUK Mass Communication is now the best amongst Nigerian Universities.

“Since it’s inception, it is a broadcast based Department, so we have the radio station right from Analog before we migrated to a Digital having got a brand Digital radio station and BUK television that is recently commissioned courtesy of Mac Arthur Foundation facilitated by Prof. Umar A Pate.”

He further explain that regarding staff Strength, BUK Mass Communication supersedes every other University in the whole Nigeria that are offering mass Communication having more than 8 Associate Professors, and more than 10 senior lecturers.

While commending the Department for this great feat, the HOD also acknowledged the collective effort of the entire staff who have contributed in various capacity towards the success of the Department.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) agreed to deploy a special-purpose Digital Economy Center for the proposed Department of Public Relations and Advertising.

NITDA will set up a 100 Computers Lab, Printers, Alternative Power Supply, Internet Connectivity, and Relevant Public Relations and Advertising Application Software.

This was disclosed by Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, a member, representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Sharada was speaking during a 40th-anniversary celebration of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, where he acknowledged the problems bedeviling the Faculty of Communication which housed the department of Information and Media Studies, Theatre and Performing Arts, Film Studies, and Mass Communication.

According to him “Having acknowledged that the proposed Department of Public Relations and Advertising could not take up due the lack of a befitting computer center, which I only learned about 2 days ago, I drew the attention of the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Ali Pantami, through the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, to intervene and my request was granted”.

The federal lawmaker revealed that NITDA agreed to intervene with a well-equipped Public Relations and Advertising Computer Centre in line with the goals and objectives outlined in the National Digital Economy Policy/Strategy for a Digital Nigeria 2020/2030.

He further reiterated his commitment to the centrality of education for societal development, highlights the importance of education as a key that unlocks everything.
Sharada further called on politicians, philanthropists, business men and other well-meaning Nigerians to heavily invest in education for the common good of the general public.

Source : hotpen.net

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TECHDIGEST – Bayero University, Kano will conduct online screening for all candidates of UTME and DE who have chosen the institution as first choice to enable them key into the University’s portal.

Sequel to the report of the University Central Admissions Committee and the decisions by the University Management, the candidates will not be subjected to any written test as done previously.

According to a statement signed by the Director of the Directorate of Examinations, Admissions and Records (DEAR), Hajiya Amina Umar Abdullahi on behalf of the acting Registrar, Malam Jamil Salim, the University has pegged 220 and above cut-off points for programmes in the Faculties of Clinical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences while Faculties of Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry and Law have their cut off points from 200 and above.

The statement added that the cut-off points for programmes in other faculties are 180 and above. They are: Agriculture, Arts and Islamic Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, Communication, Computer Science and Information Technology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Education and Engineering. Others are Life Sciences, Management Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.

According to the statement, online screening will commence on 3rd September, 2021 and close on 18th September, 2021. “However, printing of acknowledgement slip will continue up to midnight of 20th September, 2021,” it said.

The candidates have been urged to visit the University’s website at www.buk.edu.ng and click on 2021 UTME/DE online screening exercise for registration.

Similarly, all candidates are advised to visit any JAMB Office or accredited CBT centre nearest to them to upload their O’Level results (WAEC, NECO etc)

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TECH DIGEST – The Bayero University Kano said all Post Graduate programs in the university especially at Ph. D level will be holding lectures online, beginning from second semester.

TECH DIGEST reports that this was contained in a weekly bulletin released by the University on Friday.

According to the bulletin, the vice chancellor of the University Sagir Adamu Abbas revealed this on Monday when he went round to monitor the commencement of lectures and assess the level of compliance with the Covid-19 protocols by both staff and students.

Mr Adamu a professor of education said the Centre for Information Technology of the University is making frantic efforts to kick start the virtual learning.

He added that the University has secured a license for zoom meeting, as the management is putting adequate arrangement with a view to starting the online teaching beginning from second semester of the current academic session.

He also revealed that the license was the largest in the country amongst the tertiary institutions with the capacity of holding twenty parallel sessions simultaneously with about 500 participants.

The Vice Chancellor, acknowledged the quantum of challenges facing tertiary institutions especially in developing countries on how to conduct their academic activities in conformity with the protocols of Covid-19.

Particularly given the fact that the system was not designed for an online mode of conducting lectures.

“However, as it is now, and for us to survive, it becomes imperative to devise a means to adapt to the new normal caused by the global pandemic of Covid-19,” He said.

He added that apart from the Ph.D degree programs, others that would be conducting their lectures via online mode are the General Studies Program (GSP) at undergraduate levels.

He said this was specifically introduced as part of the response by the government on the need for educational institutions to rise up to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic without making the students miss their lectures.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the virtual mode of lecture would be gradual.

He said it was hoped that in the very near future all courses and programmes would be taught virtually in which case all the needed facilities would be provided.

Professor Abbas charged students to observe all the protocols of curtailing the spread of the virus through wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular washing of hands and the application of hand sanitizers at all the times.

He said the University management would not hesitate to sanction any staff or student who refuse to obey the protocols.

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TECH DIGEST – The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, the Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu along with top dignitaries and guests are billed to attend the maiden National Social Media Summit organized by the National Association of Information and Media Studies Students (NAIMSS), Bayero University Kano (BUK).

The duo of Bagudu and Abdalla will serve as special guest of honor and keynote speaker respectively.

Themed: Streamlining Digital Paradigm Toward Sustainable Economy, Cyber Security and National Unity in Nigeria, the event which is scheduled to hold on 14th January 2021 at Mambayya House Kano will have the Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano as the Chief Host, while the Head, Department of Information and Media Studies Dr. Nura Ibrahim serve as Chairman of the occasion.

According to the Executive President of the Association, Mr. Rabiu Musa while addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Kano, the event is organized in recognition of the fact that social media and other aspects of IT-based technologies have permeated every aspect of national and personal lives.

“This is with a view to providing cutting age innovative ideas, insights and inspirations to Journalists, National Social Media Influencers, Political Actors/Commentators, Social Activists and emerging Tech Entrepreneurs.” Mr. Rabiu said.

He noted further that, “the initiative will help the participants understand and take advantage of the current trend in social media and ICT landscape as they relate to their various endeavors”

The program under strict compliance to all Covid-19 protocols will bring together top notch intellectuals and practitioners across the country to brainstorm on how social media and technology are changing society; politically, economically and security wise. As a matter of ultimate objectives of the summit, the best practices will be identified and situated within the purview of Nigerian contemporary realities, by exploring the major role which Social Media currently plays in Nigeria’s Digital Economy.
Other dignitaries to grace the occasion include the recently elected Vice Chancellor Federal University Kashere, Prof. Umar Pate, the President/Founder Maryam Abacha American University of Niger Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo as the Guest speaker and the President/CEO Digital Bridge Institue Prof. Muhammad Ajiya as the Special Guest Address.

The organizers also noted that the program is free but interested participants should book their certificate of participation at the rate of #1000 only via the following account details:
Name: National Association of Information and Media Studies Student (NAIMSS)
Account Number: 2178011635
Bank: UBA
Register to participate via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y7zumzqv

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TECH DIGEST – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to increase collaboration with higher institutions of learning across the country in order to transform Nigeria into a full knowledge-based economy.

The Commission said the collaboration has become imperative because it would no longer be able to achieve its mandate without strengthening collaboration with citadels of knowledge

The Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, stated this during a courtesy visit by NCC Board members to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) at the weekend as part of activities lined up for the 2020 NCC Board retreat held in Kano State.

According to Akande, who praised the university for producing Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, the NCC superintends a sector that is knowledge-driven and therefore, would not be able to achieve its mandate without strengthening collaboration with citadels of knowledge like BUK and other higher institutions of learning to produce the knowledge base needed to support the growth of the telecoms sector.

“The NCC is superintending a sector that is knowledge-driven. In the absence of the citadels of learning, one could only imagine what would have become of the communications industry. So, if we come to Kano, we need to come to the prime centre of learning in Kano and other universities across the state,” he said.

Thanking the university further for “contributing” Danbatta to the industry, Akande said the sector, which NCC regulates, has also benefited immensely from the knowledge being imparted by the university.

He said the BUK has produced a good ambassador, excellent professional, and a man with administrative acumen and superb human relations in Prof. Danbatta.

“Hence, the Board of NCC decided to visit Bayero University with the EVC, who is a ‘homeboy’ and to show our appreciation for the services of the EVC, an outstanding product of the university, has been rendering to the nation at the NCC.

We are here also to show that we work together and our coming to Bayero University would be an expression of appreciation of Danbatta’s good work at the NCC,” he said.

In his remarks, Danbatta said all the achievements “we have recorded as NCC can be attributed to the team spirit and cooperation between the Management and Board of NCC even as we are poised to achieve more,” adding that “Our profound prayer is that we leave the NCC better than we met it.”

While thanking the university’s management for hosting the NCC’s, Danbatta used the opportunity to also congratulate Prof. Sagir Abbas for his appointment as the 11th Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university.

While expressing delight to receive the NCC Board, Prof. Abbas noted that the school management cancelled all engagements to receive the board in order to show the university’s high regards for Danbatta, whose name, he said, cannot be omitted in the history of Bayero University.

“Prof. Danbatta has served the university diligently, as a lecturer, as head of the department, as Dean, as director and he was also a former VC in Kano University of Science and Technology, but wherever he goes, you find him relating to his base.

“So, we hold him in very high esteem and we are always happy to see him and his team discharging the national assignment he is saddled with and Bayero University is proud to be associated with him. We have no doubt that the Board and Management of NCC will enjoy him more as he begins his second term in office,” he said.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university has received many donations of computers, iPads, and other interventions such as professorial endowments from NCC, all of which, he said, have had positive impacts on the university’s academic programmes.

He, however, appealed for more digital assistance by the Commission in supporting the university more in the area of its ongoing restructuring to fully accommodate virtual learning into its system in view of the current reality globally where ICT is mediating the lecturer-student interaction.

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