Gombe Lecturer Earns First Class in Degree and Master’s Programme

Muhammad Usman Yahya, a lecturer at Gombe State University, overcame admission and financial challenges to graduate with First Class honours in both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and is now pursuing a PhD.

A lecturer at Gombe State University, Muhammad Usman Yahya, has shared the inspiring story of how determination, discipline, and consistency helped him graduate with First Class honours in both his undergraduate and Master’s degree programmes.

Born on August 21, 1993, in Kumo, Gombe State, Yahya currently lectures at the university’s Dukku Campus, where he also serves as the Examination Officer in the Department of Estate Management. He attended Tangale 5 Primary School and Government Secondary School Pilot in Kumo before completing his secondary education in 2010.

After secondary school, he faced difficulties securing admission into the university, a challenge he described as demanding and highly competitive. Despite the setbacks, he remained focused on his academic goals. He began his higher education journey at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic in Bauchi, where he spent two years before gaining admission into Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University to study Estate Management and Valuation from 2016 to 2021.

Yahya said his success was built on discipline and consistency from an early age. According to him, he always enjoyed learning and rarely missed classes. During school holidays, he often resumed earlier than other students so he could prepare ahead of lessons and better understand new topics before formal teaching began.

He explained that financial difficulties and limited academic support were among the major challenges he faced throughout his studies. However, he remained determined to succeed and continued pushing forward despite the obstacles.

At the end of his undergraduate studies, Yahya graduated with a First Class degree and a CGPA of 4.83, emerging as the best graduating student in both his department and faculty. His outstanding performance earned him several awards, including the Departmental Prize, Faculty Prize, and the Akilu Idris Award from the Faculty of Environmental Technology at ATBU.

Beyond academics, he also represented his schools in several quiz competitions and academic contests from primary school to university level, helping his institutions win trophies and recognition awards.

Following his undergraduate success, Yahya immediately applied for a Master’s degree in Estate Management and Valuation at ATBU. He revealed that he secured admission even before beginning the National Youth Service Corps programme. While serving, he combined NYSC activities with postgraduate coursework and later graduated with another First Class result, earning a CGPA of 4.93.

During the same period, Gombe State University established its Dukku Campus and began recruiting academic staff. Yahya applied for a lecturing position, attended the interview, and was successfully employed.

He is currently pursuing a PhD in Estate Management and Valuation at ATBU, where he says he is steadily progressing in his academic career.

Advising students, Yahya encouraged them to remain patient, focused, and persistent. He urged young people not to compare themselves with others but instead concentrate on personal growth, hard work, and long-term success.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEADERSHIP