ABU Counselling Centre Trains Staff and Students, Launches ABU-RISE to Boost Employability

The Counselling and Human Development Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, has organised a two-day training workshop for staff and students to strengthen career coaching, mentoring, and job creation linkages.

The workshop held on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance and the Postgraduate College Auditorium, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, lauded the Centre’s efforts. He said the University is shifting research “from lab to field” and assured the Centre of continued support to reshape students’ mindsets and prepare them for the future. He also commended the Director of the Centre, Prof. Hadiza Ahmed Tukur, for her commitment to the training.

Welcoming participants, Prof. Tukur said the workshop marked a milestone in professional growth and excellence at ABU. The training covered two themes: ‘Career Coaching and Mentoring: Effective Strategies for Growth for Staff’ and ‘Linkages and Job Creation for Students’. She noted that the themes were designed to equip the university community with skills, strategies, and connections to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

Prof. Tukur announced the launch of ABU-RISE through the Career Services Unit. ABU-RISE, an acronym for READINESS, INNOVATION, SKILLS, and EMPLOYABILITY, is aimed at preparing staff and students for the modern workforce and ensuring graduates are industry-ready. She added that the Unit recently visited companies in Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano with the Directorate of Advancement and International Education, and received strong interest from organizations eager to collaborate with ABU on research and innovation.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Basic Studies Alumni Association, BASICO, Dr. Suleiman Ndanusa, said the future belongs to those connected to opportunities and guided by mentors. He stressed the importance of academia-industry linkages and mentorship in helping young people navigate a competitive world.

The Chairperson, Committee of Deans and Directors, Prof. Maryam Aminu, Dean of Life Sciences, said the presentations deepened understanding of career coaching and mentoring. She noted that the unveiling of the ABU-RISE logo signals the start of a transformative journey to enhance innovation, strengthen industry linkages, and improve graduate employability.

The two-day workshop featured several paper presentations and was attended by Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, and students.