The Rise of Ahmadu Bello University: A Model for Educational Excellence
Within just two weeks, from June 5 to June 16, 2025, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) captured national attention—twice. First, a team of its students emerged victorious at the Huawei ICT Skills Competition Global Finals in Shenzhen, China, outperforming elite teams from around the world. Barely had the applause faded when ABU students once again made headlines, winning the inaugural Community Court of Justice Moot Court Competition for law students in Nigeria. These achievements are not isolated incidents; they are clear indicators of what can be achieved when purpose-driven student selection meets outcome-based education and focused, intensive training.
In both competitions, the students were carefully chosen and trained with the singular goal of winning. They were not trained generally—they were trained specifically, with measurable learning outcomes and targeted performance standards. This approach has led to remarkable results, prompting an important question: What if Nigerian universities adopted this same philosophy in their general student admissions and education systems? Could we systematically produce graduates who are not just employable, but who excel, lead, and win on national and global stages?
The Current University Admission Model in Nigeria
The current model of university admission in Nigeria is largely based on UTME scores. Candidates are divided into four main categories. About 45% of the admission is based on merit. The remaining 55% is allocated to candidates from the university’s catchment area (35%) and those from Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) (20%). Some universities may also have a small percentage of admission based on the discretion of their management.
While this system is useful for mass selection, it rarely considers a candidate’s long-term goals, skills trajectory, or personal discipline. As a result, many students enter institutions with little clarity on what is expected of them—or what they can become.
The ABU Approach: Purpose-Driven Selection and Training
In contrast, the ICT and moot court winning teams from ABU were selected through rigorous screening, not just based on grades but also on demonstrated passion, potential, and discipline. These students were not merely thrown into programs and left to “figure it out.” Instead, they were given a clear purpose: to win the competition. Everything else—lectures, mentoring, simulations, peer support—was aligned toward that singular goal.
This aligns with the principles of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), an approach that has transformed learning outcomes in countries like Singapore, Finland, and South Korea. These nations admit students with an eye on their end capabilities, then design curricula and assessments to guarantee those outcomes. It’s no coincidence that they also rank among the world’s top producers of global talent and innovation.
A Different Kind of Education: Application Over Theory
At ABU, students were not trained to “know ICT” or “know the law.” They were trained to perform—to apply their knowledge under pressure, in real-world scenarios, and against the best minds from other universities. That’s a fundamentally different kind of education.
In Finland, teacher education follows a similar model. Only the top 10% of students are admitted into teaching programs—not based solely on grades, but on interviews, interpersonal skills, and a passion for children. The outcome is clear: to produce teachers capable of transforming lives. As a result, Finland’s schools are among the best-performing globally, with minimal standardized testing and maximal learning impact.
In China, special STEM high schools and universities employ focused, rigorous grooming of students selected for international math, science, and programming competitions. They are trained like Olympic athletes, with precise objectives, deliberate practice, and expert coaching. And they almost always win.
The ABU Winning Formula: Five Steps to Replicate Success
The ABU victories affirm a timeless Aristotelian maxim: “Excellence is not an accident. It is the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” This culture of intentional effort leads ABU students to proudly consider themselves “Naturally Ahead”—a slogan that reflects the university’s reputation for academic excellence and its students’ access to a vast alumni network.
If Nigerian universities, especially flagship institutions like ABU, adopt a model that ties student admission to expected graduate outcomes, the results could be transformative. Any university could replicate ABU’s Winning Formula by adopting the following five steps:
- Specialised Admission Tracks: Allow students to apply into clear career tracks—ICT innovation, public speaking and advocacy, entrepreneurship, etc.—and screen them accordingly.
- Outcome-Based Curriculum Design: Courses and assessments should be aligned to measurable skills and competencies, not just abstract content.
- Deliberate Practice and Mentorship: Winners in any field spend time on structured practice under expert guidance. This must be institutionalized, not left to chance.
- Incentives for Excellence: Universities must reward outcome-focused programs and departments that consistently deliver national and global achievers.
- Real-World Simulation and Exposure: Like ABU’s moot court and Huawei teams, students should regularly engage in competitions, simulations, and internships to test and refine their skills.
A New Era of Educational Transformation
Nigeria’s youth are not lacking in intelligence. They are full of raw brilliance waiting for the right system to unlock it. The dual triumphs of ABU students show what is possible when we move from mass admission to mission-driven selection, and from rote education to outcome-based learning.
Let every Nigerian university take note. Let every faculty, department, and curriculum planner rethink their approach. As the victories at ABU show, we can build a generation of winners—not by chance, but by design. “Begin with the end in mind,” wrote Stephen Covey. In the story of ABU’s success, we see a powerful reminder that if we know what kind of graduate we want to produce, we can build the path to get there—every time.
Therefore, whenever you meet a student who perceives himself to be naturally ahead of his peers, he is likely to be from ABU. And the perception is not based on empty rhetoric; it is based on a model that impacts knowledge, skills, and attitudes with high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It is based on ABU’s Winning Model.
