Northwest University Kano Appoints Professor Amina Salihi Bayero as New Vice-Chancellor

Northwest University Kano has announced the appointment of Professor Amina Salihi Bayero as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University for a five-year tenure beginning Monday, 1st December, 2025.

The approval follows a recommendation by the University Council after a rigorous selection process. Her appointment follows the approval granted by the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the approval was formally conveyed by the Pro-Chancellor of the University, His Excellency Professor Hafiz Abubakar, MFR, during the 47th Special Council Meeting which took place at the Council Chamber on 11th December 2025. Her appointment comes following her longstanding record of academic excellence, administrative competence, and distinguished service to the University community and the Nigerian educational sector.

During the event, the Pro-Chancellor read a special message from the Visitor to the University, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, in which he requested prayers for the new Vice Chancellor and wished her Allah’s guidance. The Visitor expressed gratitude for her willingness to assume the exalted responsibility and reminded her of the enormous expectations placed upon her—not only by the staff and management of the University but by the good people of Kano State at large.

Born on 11th June 1970 in Chiranchi Quarters, Kano, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero hails from Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State. A Nigerian by nationality, she is married and blessed with four children. Over the years, she has exemplified a life dedicated to scholarship, service, and the advancement of scientific research, particularly in the field of Analytical Chemistry. She maintains her academic base at the Department of Chemistry, Northwest University Kano.

Professor Bayero began her educational journey at K/Naisa Primary School, Kano (1975–1978) before proceeding to G/Galadima Girls Primary School where she completed her primary education in 1981. She attended Government Girls Secondary School, Kwa, from 1981 to 1986. Her pursuit of higher education saw her earn a B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry in 1991 from Bayero University Kano, followed by an M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry in 2002. She later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in 2003 and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2010, all from Bayero University Kano.

Her early professional experience includes the National Youth Service Corps programme at Bayero University Kano (1991–1992). She subsequently served at the Kano State Ministry of Education from 1993 to 2001 before joining Kano State Polytechnic, School of Technology, where she worked from 2001 to 2012. In 2013, she became a foundational staff member of Northwest University Kano, where she has continued to serve to date. Her academic influence extends beyond the institution, having served as Visiting Lecturer at Federal University Dutse (2017–2020), Dean and Director at Azman University Kano (2023–2024), and currently as an External Examiner at the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State.

Professor Bayero’s rise through the academic ranks at Northwest University Kano reflects her dedication to scholarship and administration. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2013, Associate Professor in 2017, and attained the rank of Professor in 2020. Her leadership roles in the University span several critical areas, including two tenures as Head of Chemistry Department (2013–2015 and 2015), two tenures as Dean, Faculty of Science (2015–2017 and 2017–2019), and key service as Congregation Representative to the Governing Council (2014–2018). She also served as Coordinator of the Laboratory Staff Training Committee and later became Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) from 2019 to 2021, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) from 2021 to 2023. In 2025, she was appointed Director, Centre for Gender and Family Development, Northwest University Kano.

Beyond her administrative contributions, Professor Bayero is a committed scholar with extensive academic publications in environmental chemistry, heavy metal analysis, food chemistry, toxicology, and advanced analytical methodologies. Her scholarly works include her B.Sc. thesis on lead in human milk in Kano, her M.Sc. research on arsenic contamination in Gombe, and her Ph.D. thesis on trace metal concentrations in hair and nails of Kano residents.

She has published dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and scientific reviews in reputable local and international outlets. Her works cover topics such as heavy metal contamination in water and consumables, environmental health risks, catalytic pyrolysis, spectrophotometric analysis, phytochemical studies, and polymer chemistry. Her recent publications include contributions in the Indonesian Journal of Chemical Analysis and the Journal of Material Protection, where she co-authored high-impact studies on waste tyre pyrolysis, zeolite applications, and alternative energy sources.

Professor Bayero is the author of the Category “A” book Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Some Vegetables, published by Lambert Academic Publishing, with another major work in Environmental Chemistry currently under review.

She is a Fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) and the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), in addition to her membership in several professional and community organisations, including Kwa Old Girls Association (KOGA), SCIEMET 86/88, and the Nasarawa Women Development Association.

With over three decades of academic, research, and administrative experience, Professor Bayero brings to the office of Vice Chancellor a commitment to scientific advancement, gender development, quality assurance, and institutional transformation. Her appointment places her among the leading female academics shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.

In her acceptance speech, Professor Bayero expressed profound gratitude to the Visitor, the University Council, staff, and the wider University community. She acknowledged the challenges ahead and affirmed her readiness to give her best for the progress of Northwest University Kano. She pledged to uphold the principles of accountability, stewardship, and transparent leadership. She also announced that she has developed a comprehensive 14-Point Agenda for the advancement of the University, which will guide her administration’s direction and priorities.

After the meeting, the new Vice Chancellor proceeded to her office for the formal commencement of the handover and takeover exercise with the Acting Vice Chancellor.

Her emergence as Vice Chancellor of Northwest University Kano is expected to strengthen the University’s academic standing, promote research innovation, and enhance administrative efficiency, building on her rich experience, scholarly depth, and dedication to public service.