ABU VC Commissions New Buildings at the institution

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, has commissioned newly completed buildings for the Department of Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechatronic Engineering at the Engineering Phase III Complex of the institution's Samaru Main Campus.

Additionally, Prof. Bala inaugurated new structures for the Faculties of Dentistry and Allied Health Sciences at the the institution Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the site for the Engineering Phase III Complex was initially designated as a hostel but was later relocated to align with the university’s original master plan. He emphasized that the new buildings were designed by the university’s Physical Planning and Municipal Services (PPMS) department, which possesses in-depth knowledge of academic infrastructure requirements.

Prof. Bala lauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo for relocating ABU Teaching Hospital from Tudun Wada to Shika, which enabled the expansion of the College of Medicine into five faculties, attracting significant student enrollment. He pointed out that the Main Campus no longer has space for medical-related expansions, necessitating the relocation of new College of Medicine buildings to Shika. The Department of Nursing Sciences, he added, is already transitioning to the new location.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism about securing additional resources for future projects and urged both the Faculty of Engineering and the College of Medicine to enhance the quality of their academic programs.

Director of Physical Planning and Municipal Services, Architect Suleiman Muhammad, described the commissioned projects as masterfully designed to support teaching and research. He also revealed that more projects are in the pipeline, with specific locations already earmarked for development. According to him, the newly inaugurated structure is unique in Nigeria as it houses two deaneries under one roof, serving both the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Mohammed Dabo, expressed appreciation to the university administration for allocating space to the newly established engineering programs. He recalled that the site had previously faced encroachment challenges but was successfully reclaimed for academic use.

Prof. S.O. Ajike of the Faculty of Dentistry commended the university management for fostering collaboration between the institution and its teaching hospital, a synergy he noted was rarely found elsewhere. He praised the Vice-Chancellor for fulfilling their vision of an independent structure for Dentistry and expressed hope for increased faculty exchanges through visiting and sabbatical appointments.

The commissioning event was attended by the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Raymond Bako; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research, and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi.

Other dignitaries present included Acting University Librarian, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Mohammed; Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Bello Mukhtar; Director of the Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Prof. Sani Abba Aliyu; Director of ICT, Malam Shuaibu Umar; Chief Internal Auditor, Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim; and Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Malam Auwal Yusuf Mohammed, among others.