Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State — The Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) and Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi (UDDM), Niger Republic, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening academic cooperation and fostering regional integration through teaching, research, staff development, and student exchange programmes.
The agreement was formalised during a three-day official visit by a four-member FUDMA delegation led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Khalid Othman, to the Nigerien university between May 21 and 23, 2026.
The partnership, first proposed in 2016, is expected to leverage the longstanding historical, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic ties between communities in Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger. University officials described the agreement as a major milestone in advancing cross-border educational collaboration and regional development.
According to the university, the visit was approved by FUDMA’s University Management Committee at its 235th Regular Meeting following an invitation from UDDM.
Upon arrival in Maradi, the delegation was received by UDDM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Akourki Adamu, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elhadji Gounga Mahamadou.
One of the major engagements during the visit was a tour of UDDM’s Agricultural Farm, where the FUDMA team inspected poultry, livestock, fisheries, and crop production facilities. Both institutions identified opportunities for collaboration in agricultural research, capacity building, extension services, and technology transfer.
The delegation also visited the Federal Teaching Hospital, Maradi, where discussions focused on potential collaboration in medical research, clinical training, and staff exchange. Professor Othman highlighted FUDMA’s recent academic achievements, including successful accreditation of programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and ongoing efforts to establish a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
The team further toured Eye Centre Maradi, a specialised ophthalmic institution that provides clinical training for UDDM students. Professor Othman noted that such partnerships would greatly benefit FUDMA’s growing College of Health Sciences.
As part of the visit, the delegation paid courtesy calls on the Emir of Maradi and the Governor of Maradi Prefecture. During the visit to the Emir’s palace, Professor Othman described the engagement as “a homecoming,” citing the shared ancestry, language, and culture between the people of Katsina and Maradi.
The Emir welcomed the initiative, describing it as a practical step toward strengthening intellectual and cultural understanding across borders. Similarly, the Governor reaffirmed the strong relationship between Maradi and Katsina and pledged support for initiatives that promote educational advancement and regional development.
The highlight of the visit was the formal signing of the MoU on May 22, with Professor Mohammed Khalid Othman signing on behalf of FUDMA and Professor Elhadji Gounga Mahamadou signing for UDDM.
Beyond the agreement, both institutions agreed to establish mechanisms for implementation, including staff exchanges, joint research projects, annual reviews, and a monitoring committee to ensure sustained collaboration.
Professor Othman also conveyed condolences on behalf of the FUDMA Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staff, and Students over the passing of Professor Ibrahim Wagani, a distinguished academic of UDDM.
At the conclusion of the visit, the FUDMA delegation described the engagement as highly successful, noting that it had transformed a longstanding vision into an actionable framework for academic excellence, research innovation, and regional integration.
University officials expressed confidence that the partnership would usher in a new era of cross-border cooperation, benefiting both institutions and contributing to educational and socio-economic development in Nigeria and Niger Republic.
