In spite challenges, we’ve progress, says Fulafia Abdul Rahmam

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, has said that his administration has made meaningful progress in spite of the obvious limitations and challenges faced by universities in Nigeria. 

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Abdul Rahman made this known during the 6th, 7the and 8th Convocation ceremonies of the University in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He said that his administration contended with a number of peculiar systemic challenges arising from the disruptions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and protracted industrial actions embarked on by the universities’ unions in addition to the operational setbacks imposed on the university administration by the IPPIS, noting, however, that in spite of the challenges, a lot were achieved.

He listed some of his administration's achievements to include the correction of the disrupted academic calendar, creation of additional faculties, departments, programmes, resource centres and directorates, institutes and centres of training and e-learning  programme for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, reinvention of the Committee System model of administration and governance.

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Others included the reformation of the processes and procedures of staff promotion by making them more seamless and transparent, building, renovation and commissioning of physical infrastructure and facilities, increasing access to internet connectivity on the campus,

collaboration with critical stakeholders, building a vibrant and sustainable academic culture that has intensified research activities/output and which, within three years, has  resulted in the presentation of 10 inaugural lectures and provision of agricultural extension services to the host communities.

"We are still on course chasing aggressively our dreams and strategic priorities towards attaining our target of being one of the best five universities in Africa," he said.

He commended his predecessors for building a formidable foundation for the University, saying that his administration has been conscious and deliberate in nurturing, sustaining and transcending the lofty legacies of the previous administrations.

Abdul Rahman noted that although the aspirations of his administration were being significantly hampered by structural limitations emanating substantially from the inadequacies of funding and staffing, he said that he was poised to make a difference, even within the limits of current fortunes.