The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has promoted 45 academic staff to professorial ranks, signalling a renewed focus on academic excellence and staff development at the institution.
This was announced in a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Habib Yakoob, following the 188th Regular Senate Meeting held on Tuesday, 8 April. According to the statement, the promotions were approved by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso, pending formal ratification by the council when it is fully reconstituted.
Senator Tejuoso’s recent appointment as Pro-Chancellor by President Bola Tinubu followed the dissolution of the previous governing council, which had been embroiled in controversy over the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The President also rescinded the appointment of Professor Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor and installed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months.
Of the newly elevated staff, 20 were promoted to the rank of full Professor, while 25 were raised to the rank of Associate Professor. The promotions spanned various faculties including Geography and Atmospheric Sciences, Social Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Management Sciences, Education, Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Arts.
Some of those promoted to the rank of Professor include:
- Prof. Ishaya Sunday (Environmental Resource Planning)
- Prof. Gabriel Omeiza (Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health)
- Prof. Simon Ubah (Theriogenology)
- Prof. Maria Apochi (Biology Education)
- Prof. Akinola Babatunde (Social Studies Education)
- Prof. Grace Olowonefa (Educational Administration and Planning)
- Prof. Comfort Olanrewaju (Zoology – Public Health Parasitology)
- Prof. Kolawole Adebayo (Applied Chemistry)
- Prof. Ogedengbe Onimisi (Human Physiology)
- Prof. Kamoru Salami (Process Intensification and Reaction Engineering)
- Prof. Samson Adeniji and Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim (International Relations)
- Prof. Saleh Sadiq (Finance)
- Prof. Emmanuel Anigilaje (Paediatric Nephrology)
- Prof. Musa Olaofe (Islamic History and Ethics)
- Prof. Richard Onalo (Cardiology)
- Prof. Zubairul Islam (GIS/Remote Sensing)
- Prof. Andrew Abue (Anatomy – Physical Anthropology)
- Prof. Fatima Kyari (Ophthalmology)
- Prof. Ugheoke Iyenagbe (Production/Industrial Engineering)
Congratulating the newly promoted staff, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manko praised their resilience and commitment to scholarship, stating that the promotions reflected the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its academic profile.
“In view of pending promotions, we sought the permission of the Council Chairman, who magnanimously granted approval—on behalf of the Council and subject to ratification—for the announcement of those who received positive external assessments,” she said.
“This recognition reflects our commitment to merit and progress. It is also a challenge for the recipients to deepen their research efforts, mentor emerging scholars, and contribute to the global body of knowledge.”
Prof. Manko added that her administration remains committed to fairness, transparency, and rewarding excellence, promising continued support for academic staff.
The announcement comes as UniAbuja navigates a transitional period under a new leadership framework, with a renewed emphasis on restoring stability, transparency, and meritocracy in university governance.
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