The University of Ibadan (UI) has commenced a new phase in its financial administration with the assumption of office of Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah as its 10th Bursar and first female occupant of the position.
Zakariyah formally began her five-year tenure on September 20, 2026, following her appointment by the university’s Governing Council at its meeting on July 9.
Her appointment marks the culmination of more than two decades of service within the University’s Bursary Department, where she began her career on August 29, 2000, as a Higher Executive Officer (Accounts) in the Loans and Advances Section.
She subsequently rose through the ranks, serving as a Finance Officer across various faculties, institutes and the Postgraduate College before becoming Chief Accountant in the Treasury Office. She was appointed Deputy Bursar in 2019, a position she held until her elevation to the Bursar’s office.
As Deputy Bursar, Zakariyah was involved in the management of financial operations across several faculties, institutes and departments, with responsibilities spanning financial control, reporting and service delivery.
Her career has also included initiatives aimed at improving the university’s financial systems and operational efficiency. Among these was the digitisation of the Receivable Unit through an electronic receipt system, which reportedly reduced paper usage by 80 per cent and helped curb revenue leakages.
She also coordinated the clearance of financial statement backlogs covering 2016 to 2019 and contributed to the institutionalisation of tax compliance procedures, helping to reduce regulatory queries.
Through proactive monitoring of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), she ensured that staff salaries were processed within 48 hours of the release of funds. She also participated in efforts to address the NELFUND refund process.
Zakariyah was involved in the procurement of a JOEL JEM 1400 Flash Transmission Electron Microscope for the university, described as the only equipment of its kind in West Africa. The procurement process reportedly saved the institution millions of naira.
Beyond the Bursary Department, she has served on several university committees, including the Bursary Management Committee, University Finance Management Committee and the Postgraduate School Procurement and Finance Management Committees.
She has also participated in Council-level committees, including the Budget Monitoring Committee, Finance and General-Purpose Committee and the Council Sub-Committee on Audit Matters, as well as Final Accounts Stakeholders’ Meetings.
Zakariyah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), having attained Associate membership in 2002 and fellowship in 2014.
Her professional recognition dates back to her early career. In 1998, she was named Overall Best Graduating Student in Accountancy at The Polytechnic Ibadan. She also received the Best Graduating Female Accounting Student Award from the Society for Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) and the Best Student Award from the National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students, The Polytechnic Ibadan Chapter.
In 2020, she received the SWAN Award for Woman of Excellence.
Born on October 19, 1975, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Zakariyah, née Adegbite, is from Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She attended Alafia Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, and St Louis Girls’ Grammar School, Ibadan. She subsequently obtained National and Higher National Diplomas in Accountancy from The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1996 and 1998 respectively.
She later earned a BSc in Economics from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in 2007, an MBA from the University of Ibadan in 2014 and an MSc in Accounting from the University of Ibadan in 2021. She also holds a Diploma in Information Technology from HiiT Plc, Ibadan.
With more than two decades of experience within the university’s financial administration and extensive involvement in financial management and institutional governance, Zakariyah now assumes responsibility for the university’s financial administration as it enters a new five-year leadership period.
She is married with children.
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