In a striking blend of academia and contemporary political developments, the Department of Sociology at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, has drawn national attention with its second-semester examination in Political Sociology (Course Code: SOC 3308), held on Tuesday, 13th May 2025. The exam boldly featured topical questions referencing current political actors such as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Rivers State political figures Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, as well as Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore.
The 2½-hour exam, which required students to answer three out of five thought-provoking questions, delved deeply into the intersection of political theory and real-world leadership. Particularly notable were the following exam prompts:
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A question on Captain Ibrahim Traore, the military head of state of Burkina Faso, invited students to critically assess his political ideology, leadership style, and achievements. Traore's profile was juxtaposed with that of legendary Nigerian regional leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto), and Nnamdi Azikiwe, an intellectual exercise in comparative political analysis.
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Another provocative question tackled the sexual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, tasking students to explore the case's implications on gender dynamics in Nigerian politics. Students were further asked to suggest strategies to foster a more gender-sensitive and inclusive political culture in the country.
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The long-standing political feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Minister Nyesom Wike, also featured in the exam. Students were challenged to examine the power tussle and propose actionable solutions for promoting healthy politicking and institutional stability in Rivers State.
Other questions focused on foundational concepts of political sociology, such as its distinction from political science and its major theoretical perspectives and models.
The inclusion of these high-profile contemporary political issues in a university examination highlights the department’s commitment to grounding sociological education in real-time African political realities. According to academic observers, the exercise reflects a progressive pedagogical shift, encouraging students to apply theoretical frameworks to analyze live governance scenarios, thus equipping them with critical thinking tools needed for public discourse and policy analysis.
Reactions to the exam have been largely positive, with students and commentators praising the department for its intellectual courage and relevance. One final-year student, who spoke anonymously, remarked that the exam “pushed us to think beyond textbooks and confront the political complexities of our society head-on.”
With political sociology increasingly becoming a vital lens through which to interpret leadership, power structures, and public accountability in Nigeria and beyond, Usmanu Danfodiyo University’s latest examination has set a precedent for academic engagement with the socio-political realities shaping modern Africa.
