Senior military officers and public servants on Thursday earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Public Governance and Leadership at the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC), at the Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.
According to the institution, the academic achievements were awarded after the candidates successfully met all requirements, including the defense of their theses on September 18, 2025.
Recipients of the Doctoral Degree include Major General Ademola Taiwo Adedoja and Major General Wilson Benjamin Etuk, both serving commanding officers of the Nigerian Army. Others are Austin Eidenagbon, Deputy General Manager at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Shuru Mohammed Kabiru.
Speaking after the event, the Dean of the Postgraduate School, represented by Professor Rafatu Abdulhamid, lauded the Director of Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Philip Dahida and his entire team for ‘excellently’ providing the enabling environment for training and educating citizens at the postgraduate level.
Professor Abdulhamid commended the external examiner, Professor Samuel Afolabi of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, for his display of passion and professionalism in examining the doctoral degree candidates, while congratulating the awardees for defending their respective theses to the satisfaction of the external examiner.
She hailed the quality of students ALC is graduating, while charging them to impact the larger society with the knowledge gained. She also urged the Director of the Centre (Professor Dahida) to sustain the momentum, noting that the university authority is interested in the programmes run at the Centre, given their importance in shaping and molding good leaders.
“I want to say big congratulations to you all, our PhD awardees. Indeed, it was remarkable to have you all brilliantly defend your theses. Kudos to you again because what you all have displayed today has shown that you are the authors of your research work.
“We must commend all of you for the resilience to pursue this degree and to this extent know that we expect you to impact the nation and give back to society. We want you to know you are ambassadors of Abuja Leadership Centre and the University in its entirety – so represent us well.
“Again, let me commend Abuja Leadership Centre for excellently doing your job, and the massive role you play in educating leaders cannot be overemphasized. Know that the Postgraduate School is interested in your progress and success as you have been placed to play a vital role in the shaping and molding of Nigerian leaders,” Professor Abdulhamid emphasized.
In his response, one of the recipients of the academic award, Shuru Mohammed Kabiru described the award as a great achievement, while vowing to push through his research work to the apex bank as it has significant implications on the practical application of policies, including anti-graft policies.
He praised the university and the Centre for their efforts in training citizens on leadership, public governance and policy, while seeking for an early exposure of citizens to knowledge to equip and develop in them the right sense of responsibility from the onset.
“This achievement is very great for me, my gratitude goes to the University, and we’re very happy that this programme is going on in earnest. So again, it’s a very great achievement for me, for the institution and for the country.
“So, I’m charging Nigerians to key into such programmes because I think there is no better time to start grooming leaders in this country than now. The country has been faced with challenges. Anytime you discuss Nigeria’s problem it is summed up into failure of leadership. I think the younger ones should be exposed to the benefits of having leadership qualities as early as nursery school, primary school.
“I intend to present my research work to the management of my organization (CBN) and see how that can be used as a diagnostic tool in measuring the effectiveness of the various policies that the bank has put forward.
“My doctoral research has significant implications for policy makers, both to CBN and other regulatory and public services. It also has significant implications on the practical application of policies, including anti-graft policies,” Shuru stated.
The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership both in Nigeria and beyond.
