By ABUBAKAR H. MUHAMMAD (9News Nigeria, Northeast)
On Wednesday, April 16, 84 DVM graduates took the oath of service at the University of Maiduguri during the 36th attestation and oath-taking ceremony for 2024/25 graduates.
The arena was filled with emotion, excitement, joy, and high hopes for the fresh graduates. But in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, three names stood out as they all earned First-Class degrees.
Among them is Dr. Umar Faruk Abubakar, the overall best graduating student in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNIMAID 2026.
Umar not only led his class but also earned First-Class Honours with a staggering 4.85/5.0 CGPA. He earned 11 distinctions out of 12 and received 12 academic awards, distinguishing himself as one of the top-performing graduates of his cohort.
While news of his triumph carries weight and fascination, the story that brought him to that moment reveals him as an even more interesting personality.
Born in Nabardo, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, his parents later moved to Ningi Local Government, also in Bauchi, where he was raised and completed his nursery and primary education.
Dr. Umar’s academic excellence is not by accident; it is perhaps a direct result of the orientation and strong foundational training he received from his parents, both of whom began their careers as classroom teachers.
Hailing from Burra District in Ningi, his father, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Abubakar, now an engineer, is a building technologist working as a civil servant with the Ningi Local Government.
His mother is Hajiya Fatsuma I. Abubakar, the pioneer principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Burra. She hails from the royal family of the Baraza District Head, Dass Local Government, Bauchi State.
Young Umar attended Central Primary School, Ningi, and All Souls Nursery and Primary School, before moving to Good Hope Nursery and Primary School, where he graduated in 2007.
To continue his pursuit of knowledge, he proceeded to Young Achievers Academy, Ningi, to start his secondary education and later joined Government College, Azare, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2013.
As the teenage son of an engineer, Umar aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, destiny had other plans for him.
He found himself within the walls of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, as a nursing student. He graduated in 2016 as a certified Registered Nurse. He later joined UNIMAID until his recent graduation.
As both a Registered Nurse and a veterinary doctor, Dr. Umar embodies a unique blend of expertise at the intersection of animal and human health.
When asked about his childhood dream of becoming an engineer and ending up as a medical professional, he responded, “I believe it is destiny.”
That ambition has now been replaced with a passion for disease prevention, vaccine development, and advancing research that strengthens animal and public health systems.
He also aspires to be a public health expert providing preventive healthcare both locally and globally through vaccine production and lifestyle modifications.
As he sets out to enter the medical industry, he noted that he remains open to collaborations and partnerships that drive scientific innovation and community impact.
While in school and between tight academic schedules, Dr. Umar still occupied himself with other extracurricular activities.
He has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, service, and capacity development, having served in several impactful roles on both religious and social fronts.
Umar served as the President of the Ningi/Warji Medical Students’ Association (NIWAMSA), where he led academic and mentorship-driven programmes aimed at supporting aspiring medical students.
He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS), University of Maiduguri, 2025, where he revived the association’s annual magazine after six years of inactivity, overseeing editorial planning, content development, and publication processes.
As a committed religious faithful, Umar served as the Deputy Ameer, Administration, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Maiduguri Branch, for two consecutive sessions.
Another fascinating aspect of the young doctor’s journey is how he exemplifies discipline, resilience, and the ability to balance academic excellence with family responsibilities. He got married while in 200 level and has now fathered a daughter, Amatullahi.
Umar is a recipient of several prestigious scholarships, including the NNPC/TOTAL National Merit Undergraduate Scholarship.
Others are the Africa Education Initiative (NEF) Berenice Douglas & Suzanne Williams Memorial Scholarship, the AYM SHAFA (Abdulmumini Educational Foundation) Scholarship, and the Federal Government of Nigeria National Scholarship Award.
Dr. Umar Faruq Abubakar represents a new generation of young professionals committed to excellence, leadership, and impactful contributions to healthcare and biomedical research in Nigeria and beyond. He can be reached at [email protected]
