Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.

Distinguished Members of the Board of Trustees, respected Members of the University Senate, esteemed Deans and Heads of Department, dedicated members of our academic and non-academic staff, proud parents and guardians, special invited guests, and most importantly, to our new and returning students – the very reason we are all gathered here today:

It is with profound joy and immense pride that I stand before you today to welcome you all to a new academic session at Capital City University Kano. To our new students, I extend a special, heartfelt welcome. You have not just enrolled in a university; you have become part of a bold and ambitious community. You are now a part of the CUK family.

You have chosen to study in Kano, a city with a legacy etched over a thousand years—a historic crossroads of commerce, culture, and scholarship. It is this very spirit of purpose and enterprise that inspired our name: Capital City University Kano. We are named 'Capital' not just for our location in this great economic hub, but because our core purpose is to invest in the most important capital of all: Human Capital.

Here, we do not see you as just students; we see you as the future leaders, innovators, and wealth creators of our nation and our continent. This belief is the foundation of our identity, and it is enshrined in our vision and mission.

Our vision is not merely a statement on a plaque; it is the star that guides every decision we make, every course we design, and every partnership we forge. Our vision is:

To be the leading catalyst for intellectual and economic vitality in Northern Nigeria, developing the human capital that will shape a prosperous and ethical future for Africa.

Think about those words. A catalyst—an agent that sparks change and accelerates progress. Intellectual and economic vitality—the fusion of brilliant ideas and tangible prosperity. This is our promise: to provide an environment where your ideas can grow into ventures that will define the future.

But a vision, no matter how grand, is powerless without a mission to bring it to life. Our mission is our solemn promise to you—our students—and to the society we serve. It is the 'how' of our journey together. Our mission is:

To deliver a world-class and transformative learning experience, blending rigorous scholarship with practical, entrepreneurial application. Through cutting-edge research, deep industry engagement, and a commitment to principles rooted in our local heritage, we empower a diverse community of learners to become innovative leaders and problem-solvers who create sustainable value for Kano, Nigeria, and the world.

What does this mean for you?

It means that your education here will not be confined to the four walls of a lecture hall. It means you will be challenged to apply your knowledge, to solve real-world problems, and to engage directly with industry leaders. It means we will nurture your entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging you to build, to create, and to innovate. And it means we will do all this while upholding the profound ethical values that are the bedrock of our heritage.

I charge you today to embrace this mission as your own. Be curious. Ask difficult questions. Challenge assumptions. Collaborate with your peers. Look at the challenges in our community not as problems, but as opportunities waiting for your solution. Your journey to becoming a graduate of Capital City University Kano is a journey of transformation—from a student to a leader, from a learner to an innovator.

On behalf of the entire university community, I welcome you to this crucible of learning and innovation. The path ahead will be demanding, but it will also be incredibly rewarding. We are here to guide you, to support you, and to celebrate your successes.

Welcome to your future. Welcome to your legacy.

Welcome to Capital City University Kano.

Thank you, and may God bless you all.

Prof. Yusuf Bala Daraja

Vice Chancellor, Capital City University Kano