A Glance At Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Udusok Pharmacy

Usman Dan fodiyo Pharmacy

The Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (formerly University of Sokoto) is one of the four Universities established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in September 1975. Three of these four were, at the time, University Colleges whose status were upgraded to full-fledged Universities. So, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto was the only one of the four to have started with the status of a full-fledged University from the scratch.
The development of the University started on a temporary site (now called City Campus), situated along Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto. Classes started on October 20 , 1977, with an initial enrollment of ninety-three undergraduate students for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Education and Bachelor of Science; while the then academic staff numerical strength was barely thirty-three. In January, 1978, one hundred and two students enrolled for a two-year pre-degree programme in the humanities and basic sciences. With this modest start, the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto formally graduated a total of one hundred and seventy-two students during its first convocation held on November 22 1980.
Presently, there are thirteen Faculties and a Postgraduate School in the University. The Faculties are: Agriculture, Arts and Islamic Studies, Education and Extension Services, Law, Science, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and College of Health Sciences (Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences). As the development programme is actively pursued, the following Faculties will be established: Food Sciences, and Engineering.
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The University Statute established the Centre for Islamic Studies in 1982. Its aims, among others, are to promote the study of and research in Islam, Islamic instructions and related disciplines as well as Islamic culture with special reference to the northern states of Nigeria. The Centre runs a Diploma Programme in Islamic Studies, which started in 1983, to assist in the manpower development of the locality and the country at large. The Centre also runs Certificate Courses in Arabic and Islamic Studies.

Phylosophy And Cardinal Princliples

As a centre of learning, the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto shall promote and disseminate knowledge, pursue research, contribute to the universal truths and maintain the international character of a University. It shall specifically:
a) Endeavour to identify with the needs and aspirations of the people where it is located;
b) Uphold and develop the ideals of the community within which it is situated and at the same time promote national unity;
c) Cherish and preserve the cultural heritage of the society; and
d) Establish a two-way rapport between the University and the society.
In pursuing its aims and objectives, the University will always be guided by the requirements of the national development plan, manpower needs and physical and environmental factors.

Vision Of the University

“To be a centre of excellence in terms of teaching, research and community service in all fields of human endeavour i.e. Arts, Humanities, Pure and Applied Sciences”.

Mission Of The University

“To provide quality teaching, research and community service to deserving persons and communities, under the most peaceful atmosphere and in line with the national policy on education, irrespective of social class, gender, race, nationality and religion; and to ensure that at all times it serves as a centre for pursuit of research and academic excellence”.

Faculty Of Pharmacy

I am sorry there is no information for interested readers here on the history of pharmacy in Udusok.

Mode Of Admission

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (J.A.M.B) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (U.T.M.E) is the only accepted route to study pharmacy and any other medical course here. Interested candidates most fulfil admission requirements into pharmacy. They must have five credit in English language, mathematics, physics, chemist and biology in not more than two sittings in O'level. They are to pick the years Jamb Utme combining use of English language, physics, chemistry and mathematics with a score of at least 200 and above. Another requirement is that the candidate must choose them as first institution and within the catchment area. The catchment areas are;

• Jigawa State
• Kwara State
• Kebbi State
• Katsina State
• Kano State
• Kaduna State
• Nasarawa State
• Niger State
• Sokoto State
• Zamfara State

Another set of states which also has more chances of gaining admission are called the Educationally less developed states (ELDS).
Candidates who met the above requirements can proceed to buy Udusok post Utme form for N2500. This is done online where candidates are expected to update their personal dataset including uploading the relevant documents. The application form is printed at the end of the online process and is required at the post Utme venue before candidates will be allowed to write the examination.
The post Utme is made up of 100 multiple choice questions. 25 questions will be from the four Utme subjects under one hour thirty minutes. The school stop administering post Utme when the government ban it. However, most likely they will start again as the law did not hold much ground. The cut off mark for giving admission is lower for candidates coming from one of the catchment areas than candidates from other zones.
To be well prepared for Jamb Utme and Udusok post Utme, Udusok run a matriculation programme into year one. The programme run for a year and sales of form goes for N5050. This is done online including uploading relevant credentials and data's. Candidates who are interested in this programme must note that they must have fulfil the requirements to study pharmacy which include five credit in English language, physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry in not more than two sittings at O'level.
This is like a tutorial class to prepare candidates for Utme and post Utme. Lectures cover the four relevant subjects such as English language, physics, chemistry and biology.
Accepted candidates will report for registration on the day of invitation. After registration, pay acceptance fee which is N1000. After completing verification exercise which this post will not cover, pay the school fees which is N50000.
The school claim they give more preference to candidates who participate in this programme than those who just buy the school post Utme form. This will be true as this is what is obtainable in other schools. Hostel accommodation is only for female candidates and it is the same process with regular students which will be explained later.
It seems the number of applicants to study pharmacy in this school is quiet low. This may raise the chances of candidates who choose them. The last time I checked, only 1962 choose to study pharmacy here where 2 candidates choose them as either second and third choice.

Undergraduate Pharmacy

All fresh students whose names appear on the admission lists should first present themselves to the Admission Officer for screening at designated centres. Students should come along with originals of their credentials (Result Slip and Official notification of results inclusive) and passport photographs. Successful candidates shall be issued with confirmation of admission letters and admission number.
Registration using the system
Registration using the UDUS Portal is divided into four parts:
a. Creating your personal information;
b. Physical presence of prospective students for Confirmation of results;
c. Paying fees; and
d. Courses registration
Pharmacy students that gained admission are expected  to pay N3000 as acceptance fee while screening  fee is N 2000. School fees for year one is N53000. The price drops to N47300 in year two. Year two and three pay N52300 while year four fees is N51300 which is same for year five. The school fees for foreign students in pharmacy is N120000 a year throughout the duration of the programme. Spill overs school fees is N47300.

School Hostel Accommodation

There are seven hall of residence. The female hostels are Kwankwasiya, Wana asmau (D.V), FBI and 1-C block. Don't know the names of the others but the male hostel I know is Zamfara hostel.
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Application for school hostel is done online. Returning students have to apply for accommodation at the end of each session. The tentative allocation list of all successful applicants is displayed on the notice boards at the beginning of each session. No student is actually given any allocation until he/she presents to the space allocation committee an official University receipt, which indicates full payment of fees. The lodging fee is N6,590 per bed space per session while hostel maintenance fees for undergraduate is as determined by the University and payable by successful students into the Students' Fees Account through a bank draft on presentation of an allocation slip obtained from the Bed Space Allocation Committee. Fees paid  without allocation letters cannot be refunded.

Off Campus Hostel

The school is located in the bush and off campus information is limited. However, a self contain goes for about N80000 to N130000. The main disadvantage is the walking distance to the school. And the road to the school was recently constructed. But only heavens know how long it will last.

Post Graduate

Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University have not started postgraduate course in pharmacy as at the time of writing this.
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Motto: the most peaceful university in Nigeria
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