Professor Aliyu Shugaba, the University of Maiduguri’s outgoing Vice-Chancellor, has bid farewell to the university community, marking the conclusion of his five-year tenure.
Professor Shugaba spoke at a news conference on Friday at UNIMAID’s El-kanemi Hall, highlighting the university’s accomplishments in the face of the Boko Haram insurgency and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stated that under his leadership, the university has seen substantial growth, including infrastructural initiatives, academic programmes, and partnerships. Some of the significant projects completed or ongoing include the construction and rehabilitation of roads and drainages, the Centre for Countering Violent Extremism, the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition & Dietetics, hostel block and staff quarters rehabilitation, and others.
Prof. Shugaba acknowledged that donor funding played a significant role in his accomplishments. He also noted that the university still faces challenges such as inadequate funding and resources, limited faculty development and retention, poor student-to-teacher ratios, and inefficient administrative processes. Despite these challenges, Professor Shugaba expressed his pride in the progress made and emphasised his dedication to the institution’s growth. As the university community bids farewell to Prof. Shugaba on June 3rd, 2024, they also welcome a new era of leadership.