Mariam Zakariyah Becomes UI First Female Bursar

Mrs. Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah has assumed office as 10th and first female Bursar of University of Ibadan, following her appointment by University Governing Council. Her five-year tenure commenced September 20, 2026.

Mrs. Zakariyah's appointment marks significant milestone in history of University as first female to attain position, coming after more than two decades of dedicated service to institution. She joined University of Ibadan Bursary Department on August 29, 2000, as Higher Executive Officer (Accounts) in Loans and Advances Section and steadily rose through ranks to become Deputy Bursar in 2019.

Over the years, she has served in various financial capacities across Faculties, Institutes, Departments and Postgraduate College, gaining extensive experience in financial management, reporting, control and institutional governance. Her career has been marked by initiatives aimed at improving financial efficiency and strengthening accountability. Among these was digitisation of Receivable Unit through introduction of e-receipt system, which reduced paper use by 80 per cent and helped block revenue leakages.

She also coordinated clearing of financial statement backlogs covering 2016 to 2019 and contributed to strengthening University's tax compliance processes, thereby reducing regulatory queries.

Through proactive monitoring of Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), Mrs. Zakariyah helped ensure staff salaries were paid within 48 hours of release of funds. She also played role in addressing NELFUND refund issue and facilitated procurement of JOEL JEM 1400 Flash Transmission Electron Microscope, described as West Africa's only such equipment, helping University save substantial funds.

Beyond responsibilities in Bursary Department, Mrs. Zakariyah has contributed to University's financial governance and decision-making processes through membership of several key committees. These include Bursary Management Committee, University Finance Management Committee, Budget Monitoring Committee of Council, Finance and General-Purpose Committee of Council, Council Sub-Committee on Audit Matters, as well as various finance, procurement and audit-related committees.

A Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mrs. Zakariyah became Associate of Institute in 2002 and Fellow in 2014. Her professional accomplishments have also earned her several awards, including Overall Best Graduating Student in Accountancy at The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1998, Best Graduating Female Accounting Student Award by Society for Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), and SWAN Woman of Excellence Award in 2020.

Academically, she holds National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from The Polytechnic Ibadan, Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, MBA and Master of Science in Accounting from University of Ibadan.

She also holds academic Diploma in Information Technology from HiiT Plc, Ibadan. She has attended several professional conferences and workshops locally and internationally and has delivered papers at various professional engagements. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, and hailing from Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Mrs. Zakariyah began her education at Alafia Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, before proceeding to Saint Louis Girls' Grammar School, Ibadan.

With over two decades of service at University of Ibadan, Mrs. Zakariyah brings to new role extensive experience in financial administration, institutional governance and financial process improvement.

As University's first female Bursar, she brings to position wealth of experience, professional expertise and strong commitment to accountability, integrity and continuous improvement of University's financial management system.