The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, who visited Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State recently to praise his leadership style and to express the university’s appreciation for the Governor’s continuous support, presented catalogues of demands of the Premier University to the Governor, who promised to address them all.
During the visit, the Vice-chancellor commended the Governor’s remarkable progress in restoring peace and security to the state, describing it as a major achievement. He also commended the Governor’s people-centered policies in education, agriculture, and transportation.
Professor Ahmed informed the Governor of the university’s recent achievements, including being ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education (THE) and receiving recognition from JAMB as the best and most representative university in Nigeria.
However, the Vice-chancellor also informed the Governor about the pressing challenges facing the university, including dilapidated infrastructure, declining staff morale due to high cost of living and tax burdens, and the need for support to rehabilitate internal roads and upgrade academic buildings.
He appealed to the Governor to support the university in rehabilitating its internal roads, which were constructed in the 1960s and are in a state of near collapse.
He also requested the Governor’s help in restoring the dignity and value of Arewa House, a historic edifice symbolizing the legacies of the late Premier of the Northern Region.
Regarding staff welfare, the VC appealed for a modest review or relief of tax obligations on staff to improve morale and ultimately benefit students and society.
The Vice-chancellor also raised the issue of land excision at Mando, appealing to the Governor to use his good office to return the land to the university, citing its importance as a legacy of the university’s founder.
The Governor was also informed about a new initiative launched by the university, “Lunch with the Vice Chancellor: An ABU Future Leaders’ Forum,” aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders.
The Vice-chancellor concluded by thanking the Governor for his magnanimous support and exemplary leadership, and requesting him to extend gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a 10- megawatts Solar Plant for the University and for the students loan scheme.
In his response, Governor Sani directed an out-of-court settlement for the Mando land dispute. He also allocated land in Kaduna and Zaria for the university to develop a mass housing project for staff, acknowledging the welfare challenges they face.
He also expressed his commitment to helping the university upgrade its road network and mobilize support from Northern Governors to upgrade Arewa House, a historic edifice symbolizing the legacies of the late Premier of the Northern Region.
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the university’s Council and management to achieve mutual goals and objectives.
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