The Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC), Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, on Monday awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees to four of its students in Public Governance and Leadership and Policy and Strategic Studies.
According to Professor Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, the academic achievements follow the candidates’ successful completion of requirements, including the defense of their theses on October 6, 2025.
Notable recipients of the Doctoral Degree include Assistant Controller of Corrections at Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Khadijat Taiwo Khayran-Yunus, and a seasoned financial consultant, Aljanatu Halilu, who both earned a doctoral degree in Public Governance and Leadership.
Others are Gbenga Fajimi and Odumegwu Curtis Ernest, both of whom also earned doctoral degrees in Policy and Strategic Studies.
Speaking after the event, Professor Dahida commended the external examiner, Professor Linda Kwon-Ndung of Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, for her exceptional display of professionalism, knowledge transfer, and passion in evaluating the doctoral candidates.
He also lauded the university’s School of Postgraduate Studies, lecturers, and staff of the institution for their roles in graduating the doctoral candidates, while charging the awardees to apply the knowledge gained appropriately to the betterment of society at large.
Reacting to the academic milestone, Aljanatu Halilu described the academic milestone as a significant game-changer that will open doors to impactful roles that shape policies and drive positive change in the country.
Halilu revealed that the knowledge gained at the Abuja Leadership Centre in the course of her PhD research work, which dwelt on girl child education, equipped her with the expertise to advocate and lead reforms and influence policy at national, regional, and international levels.
She advised governments at all levels to “Implement policies that support gender-responsive leadership and provide technical and financial support to schools.
“I urge school leaders to focus on developing and implementing gender sensitive programmes that address both financial and cultural barriers to female education.
“As well, I urge academic institutions to conduct more longitudinal and comparative studies to track the long-term impact of leadership on girl-child education.
“Having a PhD in Public Governance and Leadership is a game-changer, opening doors to impactful roles that shape policies and drive positive change. A PhD in Public Governance and Leadership is respected worldwide, enhancing your credibility as a policy expert and leader”, Halilu averred.
The Abuja Leadership Centre at Yakubu Gowon University is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership both in Nigeria and beyond.
