In a historic first convocation, Taraba State University’s new Chancellor pledges his royal influence and decades of statesmanship to forge a true centre of excellence
JALINGO — History was written in gold on Saturday 12th September, 2026 as the Gangwari of Ganye, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda, OON, ascended the Chancellor’s seat at Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo — a moment that fused the ancient dignity of the throne with the modern mission of the academy.
The revered monarch was formally inducted during the university’s landmark 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Combined Convocation Ceremony, a grand gathering that drew dignitaries, scholars, traditional rulers, government officials, parents, graduands and stakeholders streaming in from across Taraba, Adamawa and beyond — turning the university grounds into a crossroads of tradition and academia.
It was the Gangwari’s maiden convocation as Chancellor, and he seized the moment not as ceremony alone, but as a declaration of intent — a chance to lay before the university community the vision that would define his tenure.
For the newly appointed Chancellor, this was no ordinary elevation dressed in academic robes. It was a summons to service, a call to responsibility, and the opening chapter of a new institutional chapter.
In his address, Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda spoke with the measured gravity of a man aware of the weight now resting on his shoulders. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for finding him worthy of the appointment, and acknowledged the trust placed in him by the university’s Governing Council, management, Senate, staff and students.
He framed his new role not as a title to be worn, but as a covenant to be honoured — pledging his experience, his influence and his far-reaching networks in service of the university’s advancement.
“I consider this appointment not only as an honour, but also as a responsibility and a challenge,” the Chancellor declared, setting an unmistakable tone for the journey ahead.
He voiced firm optimism that, through unity between government, university management, academics, students and other stakeholders, Taraba State University could rise to greater heights and stake its claim as a leading institution of higher learning — a genuine centre of excellence recognised far beyond the borders of the state.
Turning to the thousands of graduands before him, the Gangwari offered warm congratulations, describing their success as the hard-earned fruit of years of sacrifice, discipline, perseverance and unrelenting determination.
But his message went further than praise. He challenged the graduates to see their certificates not as a finish line, but as a starting gun — the beginning of a deeper responsibility to society. Their knowledge and skills, he urged, must now be translated into tangible contributions to their communities, their nation, and humanity at large.
The Gangwari’s emergence as Chancellor has been widely celebrated as a resounding endorsement of the leadership and statesmanship he has cultivated as traditional ruler of Ganye Chiefdom — proof that the wisdom of the palace and the pursuit of knowledge are not separate worlds, but complementary ones.
His appointment has also deepened the bonds between Ganye in Adamawa State and Taraba State, positioning the Gangwari as a vital bridge linking traditional institutions, academia, government and the broader community — a royal ambassador for cross-border cooperation and shared progress.
Even before the convocation, the significance of the appointment was already taking shape: university management had paid a formal courtesy visit to the Gangwari, seeking his support and partnership in advancing the institution. In that engagement, the incoming Chancellor pledged to place his experience and influence squarely behind efforts to elevate TSU’s visibility, reputation and standing on both the national and international stage.
That early pledge came full circle at his first convocation, where he stepped decisively into the academic leadership of the institution before a vast assembly of stakeholders.
The sheer scale of the ceremony underscored just how far TSU has grown within the region’s educational landscape. The combined convocation brought together graduands spanning four academic sessions — 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 — with a staggering 17,759 students presented for graduation, among them 74 first-class graduates.
That remarkable academic milestone provided a fitting backdrop for the induction of a new Chancellor whose first public address was anchored firmly in growth, excellence, responsibility and the university’s future.
Also addressing the gathering, Governor Agbu Kefas issued a bold challenge to the university — to move beyond the conventional business of churning out graduates and evolve into a powerhouse of research, innovation and practical solutions for the challenges confronting Taraba State and Nigeria at large.
The Governor called on the institution to channel its intellectual firepower toward agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology and the development of the state’s abundant human and natural resources.
Underscoring its commitment to the university’s transformation, the state government used the occasion to commission major infrastructure projects, including an ultra-modern female hostel and a 700-capacity multipurpose hall — tangible investments in the university’s learning environment and future capacity.
Against this sweeping backdrop, the assumption of office by Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda arrives at a defining moment in the history of Taraba State University.
For the people of Ganye Chiefdom, it is a moment of immense pride — fresh recognition of the intellectual depth and leadership capacity of their traditional institution. For Taraba State University, it marks the dawn of a new chapter under a Chancellor who carries the authority of traditional leadership, the seasoning of public engagement, and a hard-earned reputation for peace, bridge-building and community development.
And for the Gangwari himself, this first convocation transformed a prestigious title into a solemn, living responsibility.
From the Ganye Palace to the citadel of learning in Jalingo, Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda now occupies a position that transcends traditional boundaries — one that calls him to nurture knowledge, champion excellence, strengthen institutional visibility, and help shape a generation of graduates equipped to confront the demands of a rapidly changing world.
As the applause of his first convocation faded and graduands stepped forward to claim the rewards of years of academic labour, one message from the new Chancellor rang out clear above all else: the appointment is an honour, but the greater duty is service.
For Taraba State University, this was no ordinary academic ceremony.
It was the dawn of a new royal chapter in the history of the university.
