PAAU Vice-Chancellor Visits the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Computing

The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has continued his familiarization tour of the University’s academic faculties with a visit to the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Computing, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to research advancement, staff development, and sustainable institutional growth.

Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor A. O. Omali, congratulated Prof. Usman on his appointment as the University’s sixth Vice-Chancellor and described the visit as a significant and encouraging moment for both staff and students.

Providing an overview of the Faculty’s academic profile, Prof. Omali disclosed that the Faculty currently comprises nine departments, with seven additional academic programmes recently introduced following a successful resource verification exercise by the National Universities Commission. He noted that more than half of the Faculty’s academic staff hold doctoral degrees, underscoring its strong intellectual foundation.

Highlighting the Faculty’s research accomplishments, the Dean commended several staff members for securing prestigious international grants and collaborations. He specifically acknowledged Dr. Kizito Eneye of the Department of Microbiology, who received the Food and Agriculture Organization Global One Health Prize and is currently engaged in collaborative research with international scientists on diagnostic kits and cancer-related studies. He further disclosed that Dr. Eneye secured an international research grant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia focusing on nanotechnology and Streptomyces therapeutics, involving global research partners.

Prof. Omali also recognized Dr. Emmanuel Amlabu of the Department of Biochemistry for attracting multiple international research grants, including the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) grant funded by the Carnegie Foundation of New York, valued at $205,000. The grant supports research on the development of novel antimalarial therapeutics.

The Dean outlined additional achievements recorded by the Faculty, including the installation of solar power systems serving sections of Faculty buildings and computer laboratories, the launch of the Faculty’s academic journal, the creation of common student waiting areas, and the facilitation of externally sponsored academic excellence awards for outstanding students.

Despite these successes, Prof. Omali identified critical challenges facing the Faculty, including inadequate lecture spaces due to rising student enrolment, shortages of academic and technical staff, unstable power supply affecting laboratory operations, insufficient water supply, security breaches resulting in burglary incidents, limited laboratory equipment and reagents, and a shortage of essential support personnel.

Responding, Prof. Usman expressed appreciation for the warm reception, describing his appointment as Vice-Chancellor as a personal homecoming. He noted his strong connection to the Faculty, acknowledging its historic contributions to the University, including hosting the institution’s first inaugural lecture and producing its first indigenous professor.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Faculty for its resilience, proactive initiatives, and commitment to academic excellence, assuring staff of Management’s continued support. He emphasized mentorship as a cornerstone of academic and institutional development, noting that scholarly relationships extend beyond formal instruction and that he himself is a product of mentorship.

Prof. Usman disclosed that his administration would prioritize research endowment, institutional partnerships, and collaborative frameworks aimed at enhancing the University’s global research visibility in a cost-effective manner. He encouraged academic staff to remain productive, innovative, and professionally engaged while leveraging their networks to attract development opportunities.

He described the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, as compassionate and supportive of the University’s advancement, emphasizing that government support is strengthened when institutional requests are genuine and well justified. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting government initiatives while demonstrating measurable progress.

The Vice-Chancellor further stressed that institutional transformation requires collective responsibility and accountability at all levels. He praised the Faculty’s investment in solar power infrastructure and encouraged the pursuit of sustainable solutions to persistent electricity challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Prof. Usman concluded by calling for continued cooperation, dedication, and goodwill from staff and students, assuring the Faculty that staff welfare and institutional progress remain central priorities of his administration.

The visit concluded with interactive discussions between the University Management and Faculty members on strategies for strengthening academic productivity, research output, and infrastructural development.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by principal officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor J. J. Orugun; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Ojah Paul Egwemi; Registrar, Barrister Yahaya S. Alilu; Bursar, Dr. (Mrs.) Amina Amuhi; Acting University Librarian, Dr. Oladimeji Yemi-Peters; and Director of Academic Planning and Development, Professor Abayomi Ajayi, among others.