Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde of UNILORIN Appointed VC of USET, The Gambia

Professor Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, an esteemed academic and native of Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET) in The Gambia. Surajudeen-Bakinde, who previously served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Ilorin, brings with her a wealth of experience in academia and leadership.

She has held various notable positions, including President of Offa Engineers and former President of the Offa Students Union (NHQ). Her academic journey began at Offa Grammar School, where she was the Head Girl in 1990, before earning her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ilorin.

In 2010, she received her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Electronics from the University of Liverpool, under the Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship. Throughout her career, Professor Surajudeen-Bakinde has made significant contributions to the engineering field, earning numerous awards, including the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA) Award of Excellence and a Merit Award from the Offa Students’ Union.

The appointment of Surajudeen-Bakinde as Vice Chancellor has been met with widespread acclaim, with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State congratulating her and acknowledging her positive impact in academia. He described her success as a reflection of dedication, integrity, and the value of education, particularly emphasizing the need for accessible education for all, especially young girls.

Professor Surajudeen-Bakinde’s leadership at USET is expected to enhance the university's academic standards and further foster collaboration between Nigeria and The Gambia in the area of science, engineering, and technology education.