Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
The outgoing leadership of the Federated Organisation of Sokoto State Students’ Association (FOSOSSA) has presented a comprehensive account of its one year stewardship, highlighting achievements in scholarship advocacy, student welfare, institutional reforms and stakeholder engagement, while marking the association’s 50th anniversary with a call for sustained investment in education and youth development.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Sokoto on Monday, the outgoing President of FOSOSSA, Yusuf Sabiu, said the administration remained committed to accountability, transparency and service despite operating under severe financial constraints.
Addressing journalists and student leaders, Sabiu described the presentation as a demonstration of democratic accountability and a reflection of the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and educational future of Sokoto State students across Nigeria and abroad.
“Today, we present before the people of Sokoto State a transparent account of our stewardship, our achievements, challenges, sacrifices and the enduring legacy we leave behind. Leadership is a trust, and every trust deserves an account,” he said.
According to him, one of the administration’s major accomplishments was its advocacy for the payment of scholarships and tuition fees for more than 27,000 Sokoto State students during the 2024/2025 academic session, including students studying in professional courses and foreign institutions.
“We successfully facilitated scholarship verification exercises and intervened in the settlement of outstanding tuition obligations exceeding ₦3 billion for students studying within and outside Nigeria. Our focus was to ensure that no eligible student was left behind,” Sabiu stated.
He noted that the association also strengthened its relationship with key government agencies, including the Sokoto State Scholarship Board and the Ministry of Higher Education, while undertaking extensive engagements with more than 20 Ministries, Departments and Agencies to advance students’ interests.
On security and peace building, the outgoing president disclosed that the administration restored cordial relations with security agencies and promoted peaceful coexistence among students through strategic engagements and participation in national peace initiatives.
“Education can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace. We worked closely with security agencies and participated in national peace building programmes to promote harmony and stability among students,” he said.
Sabiu further highlighted several welfare interventions undertaken by the association, including mediation in student disputes, responses to welfare emergencies and interventions on issues relating to accommodation, electricity, water supply and student identification documentation.
He explained that the administration also invested in human capital development through career guidance programmes, educational support initiatives, malaria prevention campaigns, community service projects and donations of educational materials to schools and orphanage homes.
A major highlight of the administration, according to Sabiu, was the successful organisation of the FOSOSSA Golden Jubilee celebration, commemorating 50 years of the association’s existence from 1976 to 2026.
“The Golden Jubilee was not merely a celebration. It was a deliberate effort to preserve our institutional memory, reconnect with former leaders across the world and document the rich history of our association for future generations,” he said.
As part of the anniversary activities, FOSOSSA documented its historical records and paid tribute to past leaders, including former presidents and caretaker chairmen whose contributions helped shape the association over five decades.
The association acknowledged the pioneering role of Attahiru Muhammadu Jega and other former leaders in building a strong foundation for student representation and advocacy.
The outgoing leadership also announced a series of institutional reforms, including the establishment of a functional office within the Ministry of Higher Education, the opening of an official bank account, the strengthening of constitutional structures, the creation of a Judicial Council and the appointment of the association’s first Legal Adviser.
Despite these achievements, Sabiu said the administration faced significant operational challenges, revealing that FOSOSSA received no direct government operational funding throughout its tenure and that officials served without allowances.
“We inherited an association without a functional office, without an official bank account and without a vehicle.
Most of our assignments were executed through personal sacrifices and voluntary contributions, yet we remained committed to service above self,” he said.
He added that organising the Golden Jubilee posed additional challenges, including limited financial resources, logistical difficulties, transportation constraints and the task of coordinating former leaders spread across different parts of Nigeria and the diaspora.
Reflecting on the administration’s legacy, Sabiu said the outgoing leadership was leaving behind a more organised and united association with stronger institutional partnerships, improved documentation systems, enhanced advocacy structures and a firmer foundation for future administrations.
“Leadership is not measured by the privileges enjoyed while in office but by the positive impact created despite adversity. We assumed office with limited resources but unlimited determination.
“Today, we leave with our heads held high, knowing that history will remember this administration for service, integrity, accountability and sacrifice,” he declared, urging the incoming leadership to build on the gains recorded over the past year.
