Last year, Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, celebrated its 60th anniversary. The university’s six-decade history is fascinating and impressive in equal measure, particularly for its current and former faculty, students, and graduates. One such graduate is the multi-award-winning attorney at law Owolabi M. Salis.
Salis graduated from Ahmadu Bello University with two degrees – a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. He now owns a successful Brooklyn, New York-based law firm and is a sustaining New York State Bar Association member.
Reflecting on his time at Ahmadu Bello University over 30 years ago, Salis explores the institution’s six-decade-long history. It’s a fascinating look back that begins with its launch in 1962 when it was only Nigeria’s second-ever university.
Early History
Ahmadu Bello University opened its doors in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria. At that time, Nigeria had just one university – the University of Ibadan, established 14 years earlier in 1948.
The new university was immediately impressive, boasting four faculties across more than a dozen distinct departments. However, in its first year, the University of Northern Nigeria attracted less than 450 students across its 15 departments – fewer than 30 apiece.
The university also faced various other challenges over the coming decade, including being affected by political tensions in the mid-1960s. Still, it continued to expand, and by the 1970s, the institution had over 7,000 enrolled students.
Becoming Ahmadu Bello University
A decade after being founded, the University of Northern Nigeria had more than 7,000 enrolled students. Over half of these students were in degree programs. By 1972, just over 2,300 students had graduated. By contrast, Nigeria’s first university, the University of Ibadan, only saw 615 students graduate in its first ten years.
Officials subsequently renamed the University of Northern Nigeria in honor of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello. Sir Ahmadu Bello was Nigeria’s first premier. Ahmadu Bello University’s namesake initiated various plans to modernize education in Nigeria during his career. These plans included building schools in every province in Northern Nigeria.
Furthermore, Sir Ahmadu Bello believed every human was equal, each with rights to the same opportunities, liberties, and the legitimate pursuit of happiness. These sentiments are shared by Ahmadu Bello University graduate Owolabi Salis – himself a keen proponent of diversity-based democracy building, positive community conduct, and more.
Ahmadu Bello University Today
Today, Ahmadu Bello University is the largest university in Sub-Saharan Africa. The university covers 25 square miles, encompassing a dozen academic faculties and over 80 distinct departments. Enrollment at Ahmadu Bello University now exceeds 30,000, attracting students from across Nigeria, Africa, and worldwide with every new academic year.
Alongside Owolabi Salis, notable alumni include former Nigerian first lady Turai Yar’Adua, actress Franca Brown, famous poet Saddiq Dzukogi, artists Bruce Onobrakpeya and Uche Okeke, economist Ussif Rashid Sumaila, filmmaker Aisha Augie-Kuta, playwright Olufemi Obafemi, and many past and present Nigerian state governors and ministers.
A multi-award-winning attorney at law, Salis is a two-time graduate of Ahmadu Bello University. It’s from Ahmadu Bello University that he holds his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in accounting. He also studied at the University of Lagos in Nigeria’s largest city, graduating with his Legum Baccalaureus in law.
