ABU Educational Foundations and Curriculum Department Honours Prof. Ayuba Guga at Valedictory Send-Forth

The Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, has organised a valedictory send-forth in honour of Prof. Ayuba Guga, who retired from the services of the University on 31st August, 2026, upon attaining the 70 years retirement age.

The event was held on Thursday, 10th September, 2026, at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, described Prof. Guga as an established scholar who served the university diligently and professionally.  

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, the Vice-Chancellor said the University is not always excited about the retirement of professors because it loses institutional memory.

He further expressed concern that within the last six to seven years, ABU had not recruited young men and women into its services. He congratulated Prof. Guga and wished him a happy retirement.

In a welcome address, the Head of Department, Prof. Suleiman Ismaila, stated that Prof. Guga was not just leaving an office, but leaving behind a legacy built through years of teaching, research, mentorship, academic leadership and service to humanity.  

According to him, the contributions of Prof. Guga to the University and to the field of education have touched generations of students, colleagues and scholars.  

"As a department, we could not pretend that his departure will not create a vacuum. It is difficult to imagine our academic community without his presence, wisdom, experience and fatherly guidance," he said.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Raymond Bako, recalled meeting Prof. Guga as a teacher at Zaria Teachers College when he was Vice Principal of the school. He described Prof. Guga as an accomplished person, noting that he was included in the 2018 proposal for the establishment of the Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education, ACENPEE.  

He commended the department for organising the event and wished the celebrant well in the life ahead.

Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Abdullahi Dalhatu, represented by the Head, Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Prof. Adamu Aliyu, noted that Prof. Guga had been a facilitator and mentor all his life.  

"The faculty will miss Prof. Guga's presence, but not his influence. Many professors have exited, but we have not seemingly witnessed any replacement," he said.

In his remarks, the celebrant, Prof. Ayuba Guga, appreciated the department and particularly Prof. Raymond Bako for his role in his progress. He said Prof. Bako "opened his eyes to so many things" when he came to the University.  

He thanked the HOD and the University Management for providing an enabling environment for him to serve.

The highpoint of the event was goodwill messages from invited guests and family members, as well as the presentation of awards to the celebrant and other distinguished personalities.