University of Abuja Appoints New Deputy Vice Chancellors for Academic, Administrative Roles

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, has ratified the appointments of Professor Rosemary Udeozor and Professor Muhammad Ndagi as Deputy Vice Chancellors for Academic and Administration, respectively.

The Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Habib Yakoob, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the council, chaired by Olanrewaju Tejuoso, approved the appointments during its 82nd extraordinary meeting held on 13th February.

Mr Yakoob revealed that both senior academics were returned unopposed following a recommendation by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi. The appointments take effect from 13th February for two years, in line with the university's extant laws.

"The two senior academics were earlier returned unopposed following the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi," Mr Yakoob stated, adding that "in their acceptance speeches, they pledged to support management's strategic direction and work closely with the Vice-Chancellor."

Professor Udeozor is the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, and an expert in Educational Administration and Planning in the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education. She earned her BA Ed, MEd, and PhD from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She joined the university in 1995 and became a professor in 2009. She has also served as Director of the General Studies Unit and Deputy Director of the Centre for Distance Learning. Professor Udeozor is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Education and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Planning.

Professor Ndagi, appointed as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, is a Professor of Arabic Linguistics in the Department of Arabic. He holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the International Institute for Arabic Language, Khartoum. With over 45 years in teaching, he has served as Dean of Arts and Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies. He is a Fellow of Arabic Studies in Nigeria and has contributed extensively to academic publications and language policy initiatives.

Separately, the council approved the extension of Sambo Mohammed's appointment as Acting Registrar during its meeting held on 5th February.

"He will continue to serve pending the conclusion of the process for appointing a substantive registrar," Mr Yakoob disclosed.