The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Prof. Muhammed Mele, has urged UNIMAID alumni to give stronger financial, intellectual and professional support to the university.
He made the call at the institution’s first Global Annual Reunion Dinner and Awards Night, organised by the UNIMAID Alumni Association in Abuja.
The event held on Saturday under the theme, “Unity, Resilience and Impact: Building UNIMAID, Strengthening the Nation”.
Mele said the university’s growth needs more than government intervention. According to him, alumni must take greater responsibility for funding, institutional development and preserving its legacy.
He urged graduates, whatever their positions or locations, to reconnect with their alma mater.
“Let us build UNIMAID so that it can continue to strengthen our beloved nation, Nigeria,” he said.
The vice-chancellor said UNIMAID graduates are making significant contributions in government, corporate organisations, security agencies, schools and international organisations.
“Wherever our alumni go, they carry the touch of UNIMAID with them, and they do that with unmatched distinction,” he said.
He added that the university’s ability to survive years of insurgency and insecurity in the North-East shows the value of collective commitment.
Mele thanked the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu, who is the university’s Visitor, and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum. He also thanked other state governors, members of the National Assembly, development partners and traditional rulers.
He also commended Vice-President Kashim Shettima for helping to mobilise support for the successful relaunch of the university’s endowment fund.
Alumni support, he said, remains essential to consolidate these gains and sustain the university’s pursuit of excellence.
He told the alumni to see the reunion as a chance to renew their commitment to the university, and not only to reminisce.
“Let us see this night, not just as a night to wine and dine and remember our days on campus, but also a night for all of us to renew our sacred past,” he said.
The Global President of the UNIMAID Alumni Association, Baba Shettima-Kukawa, said nearly 10,000 graduates have been registered on its new online portal. He described it as the largest database of UNIMAID alumni ever assembled.
He said the portal was also used to hold the association’s first nationwide online election, from the declaration of interest by aspirants to the announcement of winners.
According to him, the aim is to build a transparent and sustainable alumni structure that will outlive the current executive.
He said the association is developing a scholarship endowment fund, a mentorship programme and a professional development board to support students and graduates.
“These are all things that we believe will be set off before the end of the year,” he said.
In his keynote address, the President of the Worldwide University of Lagos Alumni Association, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said effective alumni associations need strong leadership succession plans, so that programmes continue beyond individual administrations.
He praised UNIMAID for staying in Maiduguri and keeping academic activities going despite insurgency. He said this reflects the determination of its management, staff, students and alumni.
Oyedele also called for structured mentorship to help younger graduates deal with unemployment and economic uncertainty. He said stronger links between older alumni and current students would help associations pool their resources for the university’s benefit.
“Unity among alumni does not require uniformity of opinion; members can disagree on issues and still remain committed to a common institutional purpose,” he said.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
