Gombe State University (GSU) has honoured 21 distinguished scholars for outstanding achievements in research and scholarship at the maiden Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta Award of Excellence.
The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Usman Shehu Abubakar Hall, Gombe State University.
The award, conceived by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, and organised by the Directorate of Research and Development, was established to recognise members of the university community who have distinguished themselves through exceptional research output, high-impact publications and success in securing competitive research grants.
The ceremony attracted senior government officials, academics and heads of institutions, including the Commissioners for Science, Technology and Innovation, Education, Land and Physical Planning, and Special Duties.
Also in attendance were the Vice-Chancellors of the Federal University of Kashere and Jewel University, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and other heads of institutions across the state.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of scholars with outstanding publication records, particularly those who have published in Q1-ranked international journals.
Dr Aliyu Muhammed Awwal of the Department of Mathematics emerged as the first-place winner in the Q1 publication category after recording 21 Q1 publications. He received a cash prize of ₦300,000.
Professor Nasiru Inuwa of the Department of Economics came second with nine Q1 publications and received ₦250,000, while Dr Zaccheus Shehu placed third with eight Q1 publications and received ₦200,000.
Other scholars who met the criteria for recognition in the Q1 publication category received ₦100,000 each.
In the research grant category, Dr Yunana Ahmed of the Department of Languages and Linguistics was recognised for securing a US$300,000 research grant, highlighting the university’s growing capacity to attract competitive international research funding.
The award ceremony also served as a platform to encourage researchers to pursue solution-driven research, publish in reputable international journals and seek competitive grants capable of contributing to national and global development.
In their goodwill messages, government officials and academic leaders commended the university management for introducing the award, describing it as a strategic initiative for motivating scholars and strengthening research at the institution.
They noted that recognising and rewarding research excellence would encourage academics to produce more impactful scholarship while improving Gombe State University’s visibility and reputation within the global academic community.
The maiden Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta Award of Excellence marks a significant step in Gombe State University’s efforts to institutionalise a culture of research excellence and reward outstanding academic contributions.
The initiative further reinforces the university’s commitment to research, innovation, academic excellence and global visibility as key components of its institutional development agenda.
