A 34-year-old woman, Aisha Musa Auyo, has made history as the first female from Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa State to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, completing her studies in Educational Psychology at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
In an emotional post on her verified social media account following her PhD viva, Auyo, a freelance journalist and writer, said the achievement fulfilled her late father’s lifelong wish.
“Alhamdulillah. Finally, I have fulfilled my father’s wish to become the first female PhD holder from Auyo Local Government Area,” she wrote. “Though he isn’t here to witness this day, I am at peace knowing that his name was remembered yesterday and countless prayers were offered for his soul.”
Auyo, who has pursued academics continuously since childhood, described the accomplishment as a moment of freedom and gratitude.
“From the day I started school at the age of three, this is the first day I truly feel free… done, dusted, and finally at rest. I have never had a break — not even for a week,” she said.
She credited her husband, Dr. A.C. Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, for his support throughout her academic journey.
“First and foremost, I must thank my husband — the man who financed, inspired, supported, and made this journey possible from the very beginning. I couldn’t have done this without him,” she stated.
Auyo also praised her mother, Dr. Hadiza Umar, for her encouragement and assistance, describing her as “my biggest blessing.”
“From her endless trips to the department to submit, collect, and re-submit my work, to being the one who collected my admission letter and handled my registration… she’s simply my biggest blessing,” she added.
Recalling her early admission to BUK’s Faculty of Education at age 16, Auyo said her bond with the university had strengthened over the years.
“I told my mother, ‘I can’t leave BUK; it’s my home.’ Since then, the Faculty has guided, scolded, nurtured, and supported me like a daughter. If I had to do this PhD again, I would still choose BUK a thousand times over,” she said.
Her doctoral research, titled “The Influence of Achievement Motivation, Academic Self-Concept, Emotional Regulation, and Locus of Control on the Academic Achievement of Public Secondary School Students in Kano and Jigawa States, Nigeria,” focuses on improving learning outcomes in northern Nigeria.
“Now, with all the clapping and cheering, I know the real work begins — giving back to my society, especially the communities I studied. I intend to share insights from my research in ways that are practical and accessible, particularly in Hausa, the language most widely understood in the region,” Auyo said.
She expressed hope that her work would inspire students, educators, and policymakers to enhance academic performance across Nigeria.
“I hope these engagements will inspire students, educators, and policymakers and contribute to improving academic achievement — not only in Kano and Jigawa but across the country,” she added.
