1. Usmanu Danfodiyo University was established in September, 1975.
2. The university was originally named the University of Sokoto.
3. It was renamed as Usman Danfodiyo University in honour of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, a revered Islamic scholar and leader.
4. The university is situated in Sokoto, the capital city of Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria.
5. The Chancellor of the University is Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.
6. The current vice chancellor is Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis
7. The motto of the University is “ikraa” which means “Read” in English Language.
8. The university is divided into three campuses.
9. The main library complex is called Abdullahi Fodiyo Library Complex.
10. The university has a standard medical program and University Teaching Hospital.
11. The university is divided into 15 faculties for its undergraduate programmes.
12. In the university, a young Nigerian lady named Amina Yahaya made history in 2019 as she became the first female president of the Student Union Government (SUG) body in a tertiary institution situated in the northern region of the country.
13. Usmanu Danfodiyo University has produced many distinguished alumni including Tajudeen Abbas, Current Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Abdulrasheed Bawa, Economist and Detective, former Chairman Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Ahmad Aliyu, Doctor, Former First Executive Secretary of Nigeria Police Trust Fund and the Current Governor of Sokoto State to mention a few.
14. It has a post graduate school and 4 research centers.
15. The university specialises in research, training, and community service.
16. Classes started in October 20th, 1977 with an initial enrolment of ninety-three undergraduate students for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Education and Bachelor of Science
17. At the initial stage, the university had an academic staff strength of thirty-three.
18. The university is popularly known as “the most peaceful university In Nigeria”.
19. During its first convocation held in November 22nd, 1980, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto formally graduated a total of seventy-two students.
20. The school produced its first PhD graduate in Chemistry at the convocation ceremony held in December , 1986.
