Paau Alumnus, Dr Rabiu Olowo, Donates Accounting Research Centre Of Excellence And Digital Library To University

An alumnus of Prince Abubakar Audu University, PAAU, Anyigba, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Executive Secretary, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and Chairman, UNCTAD International Standard of Accounting and Reporting, SAR, has donated an Accounting Research Centre of Excellence and Digital Library to his alma mater.

The foundation laying ceremony of the project was performed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, on Monday, 27th July, 2026. The facility is located within the Faculty of Management Sciences, immediately after the Centre for Pre-Degree and Diploma Studies, CPDS, Building.

Representing the donor at the ceremony, Dr. Mohammed Umar, Assistant Professor of Accounting at the United Arab Emirates University and an alumnus of PAAU, described the Centre as a world-class academic and research facility conceptualised in line with international best practices to promote research, teaching, innovation and professional development.

He explained that the Centre will house a state-of-the-art digital library that will provide students, lecturers and researchers of PAAU, as well as scholars from other universities across Nigeria, with access to digital textbooks, academic journals, research databases and other scholarly resources through partnerships with national and international professional accounting bodies.

Dr. Umar added that the Centre will feature modern seminar and conference halls, a business centre, cafeteria, uninterrupted 24-hour power supply, high-speed internet connectivity and an in-house borehole, aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, research and global academic visibility. He stated that the Centre will also facilitate research funding opportunities and serve as a catalyst for innovation and research excellence.

Earlier, the Head of the Department of Accounting, Dr. Sunday Simon, described the project as a transformative intervention that would strengthen accounting education, research, innovation and professional development in the University.

He commended the Vice-Chancellor for the transformation recorded within a short period in office, particularly in campus security, environmental sanitation, restoration of regular water supply, installation of solar-powered streetlights, relocation of roadside shops and the revival of Fusion FM Radio Station. He also appreciated Dr. Rabiu Olowo for giving back to the institution and acknowledged Dr. Mohammed Umar for facilitating the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the School of Management Sciences, and the Department of Accounting, for attracting the landmark legacy project. He commended the Head of Department for his foresight and Dr. Mohammed Umar for his commitment to the successful foundation laying.

Professor Usman observed that although Dr. Rabiu Olowo is not an indigene of Kogi State, he chose to invest in the institution that nurtured him academically, describing the gesture as proof that the University's diversity should remain its greatest strength.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that since the establishment of the University, no alumnus had donated a project of such magnitude specifically aimed at enhancing research capacity and global visibility. He described the Centre as an enduring legacy and directed that adequate security measures be put in place to safeguard the facility upon completion.

He called on other distinguished alumni of PAAU to emulate Dr. Rabiu Olowo by giving back to their alma mater through impactful projects capable of advancing teaching, learning, research and infrastructural development. He stressed that government alone cannot provide all the resources required to build a world-class university.

The proposed Rabiu Olowo Accounting Research Centre of Excellence and Digital Library is expected to position Prince Abubakar Audu University as a leading hub for accounting education, digital learning and research in Nigeria.

Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a book, "Lessons from Life", authored by the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to the Vice-Chancellor.

The ceremony was attended by Principal Officers of the University and members of staff.