Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2026 FCT Area Council elections in Gwagwalada, Usman Shehu Yahaya, alongside Captain Abare Dogo Agwam, a serving officer in the Nigerian Navy, and financial expert Musa Kwadamburi Tarimbuka, were among those awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Policy and Strategic Studies from the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.
According to Professor Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, the Director of the Centre, these academic achievements were conferred after the recipients successfully fulfilled all requirements, including the external defense of their theses on Friday, May 22, 2026, pending the approval of the University’s Senate.
Additionally, Nurudeen Lawal also earned a doctoral degree in Policy and Strategic Studies, while Adamu Haruna Mohammed received a Master’s degree in the same field.
Speaking after the conferment, Professor Ozohu-Suleiman commended the external examiner, Professor Charles Nwekeaku from Nasarawa State University, for his thorough and professional evaluation of the doctoral candidates. He reiterated the university’s commitment to cultivating stronger and better leaders in society through the programs offered at the Centre.
He urged the award recipients to strictly address the issues raised during their dissertation and thesis defenses while praising their resilience in pursuing knowledge at this advanced level.
In response, awardee Usman Shehu Yahaya shared that the purpose of seeking a doctoral degree is to enhance his knowledge, particularly as a politically active individual. He encouraged Nigerian leaders to embrace true democracy and allow the people to determine how they wish to be governed.
He stated, “The essence of my pursuit of a PhD is to stay informed about societal developments. It enables me to learn valuable information that I can utilize in my daily activities, especially as a politician who interacts with the public.
He urged politicians and leaders to “be democrats and let the people decide what they want, ensuring transparency in governance.”
On the topic of BRICS, Yahaya remarked, “I believe this is a new phenomenon that introduces a new world order. We are moving away from Western hegemony and working to provide alternative options.”
Captain Abare Dogo Agwam described his experience at the Abuja Leadership Centre as “interesting.” He expressed that his thesis could benefit Nigeria as it aligns with his area of expertise. “As a military professional and a nation, we should produce our own arms and ammunition instead of relying on foreign supplies. We have made significant progress, and we can advance our defense industrial cooperation to sustain our operations,” he stated.
Agwam advised the government to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), noting that the new DICON Act of 2023 has transformed the policy landscape and fostered numerous partnerships, emphasizing the need for consistency in this endeavor.
The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is recognized as a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership in Nigeria and beyond.
