About Us

The School of Basic Studies (SBS) at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria was founded in 1970 with the vision of accelerating the production of university graduates from Northern Nigeria.

This initiative was led by the late Prof. Ishaya Shuaibu Audu, a distinguished pediatrician and the first indigenous Vice-Chancellor of ABU, succeeding Prof. Norman Alexander, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor. The Alexander Hall (male accommodation) of the institution was named after him.

In the early years, the only qualification for admission to a degree program at ABU and a few other Nigerian universities was the Higher School Certificate (HSC), a recognized diploma, or other duly accredited certificates.

The SBS was therefore established to provide an expedited path to university education for fresh secondary school graduates.

Program Structure and Evolution.

Initially, the SBS program was designed as a two-year course in Arts and Science subjects for students with a minimum of five credits in the MOCK/WASC exams.

The course commenced with a “summer term” from July to August, followed by a holiday. Successful students who passed the WAEC exams resumed in September as full-time students, enjoying all the privileges of their senior counterparts.

The program was eventually shortened to 12 months to reduce the gap between the end of secondary school and the start of advanced-level education.

The Role of the Interim Common Services Agency. (ICSA)

The Interim Common Services Agency (ICSA), created to manage the assets and liabilities of the defunct Northern Region among the six newly created states, played a significant role in the establishment of the SBS program.

The SBS, while initially intended for students from Northern Nigeria, soon began admitting students from other parts of the country. This facilitated national integration, especially during the post-Civil War period, aligning with the Federal Government’s “3Rs” program. (Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation)

Students’ Life and Integration.

The SBS students, some as young as 16 years, enjoyed a university life without segregation. They shared facilities with the degree, post-degree, diploma, and other certificate courses students, including lecture theatres, dining halls, libraries, and weekend entertainments.

This environment fostered genuine integration and a sense of true nationalism, transcending ethnic, religious, or sectional affiliations.

Lectures were conducted by esteemed faculty members, contributing to a rich educational experience.

Legacy and Impact.

The quality of training at SBS remained top-notch, producing graduates who excelled in various fields.

After a successful run of 19 years (1970 -1989), the SBS program was eventually phased out with the creation of the School of Basic and Remedial Studies in Funtua by some Northern States.

The legacy of SBS lives on through its alumni, who continue to embody the values of academic excellence and national unity.