UNIMAID Vice-Chancellor Charges Staff to Drive Global Excellence Through Continuous Quality Improvement

The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, has called on staff of the institution to move beyond mere regulatory compliance and embrace a culture of continuous improvement in quality assurance.

Professor Mele made the call at the opening ceremony of a two-day sensitisation workshop organised by the university’s Quality Assurance Unit. The event was held on 11th February, 2026, at the El-Kanemi Hall.

The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the DVC Academic Services, Professor Mohammed Ahmed Waziri, described quality assurance as a continuous and systematic process that ensures academic programmes, teaching, research, and administrative services meet established standards while promoting a culture of excellence. He noted that quality assurance enhances stakeholder confidence, facilitates accreditation, monitors institutional performance, and drives continuous improvement in educational quality and efficiency.

Professor Mele acknowledged that the University of Maiduguri occupies a prominent position among institutions of higher learning in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. He stated that over the years, significant investments have been made in faculties, departments, and centres to strengthen teaching, research, and innovation, thereby sustaining the University’s longstanding academic tradition of excellence.

Despite the challenges posed by insurgency in the North-East since 2009, he said the University has remained resolute in projecting itself as a world-class institution.

“Our research outputs, graduation statistics, awards, and collaborations bear testimony to our resilience and unwavering commitment to academic excellence,” he stated.

He maintained that from its inception, the University of Maiduguri has been committed to producing globally competitive graduates. 

In line with contemporary trends, he emphasised that quality assurance must be decentralised.

“I therefore call on Provosts, Deans, Directors, and Heads of Department to serve as quality champions within their respective units, rather than relying solely on the central Quality Assurance Directorate,” he urged.

The Vice-Chancellor stressed that quality assurance requires continuous evaluation to ensure academic programmes remain relevant to national and global priorities. He added that it also seeks to improve the student learning experience through modern pedagogical approaches, ethical academic conduct, and the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into teaching and learning processes.

Professor Mele commended the Quality Assurance Unit for the timely initiative and for its commitment to strengthening quality systems within the university.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Coordinator of the Quality Assurance Unit, Professor M.B. Umaru emphasised that quality assurance represents a fundamental commitment to excellence.

Professor Umaru noted that the workshop was designed to provide participants with practical experience in quality assurance mechanisms. He explained that the first day featured participants from the academic arm of the university, including Provosts, Deans, and Heads of Department, while the second day was dedicated to administrative staff.

He commended the university management for supporting the workshop and assured participants of more training programmes in the future.            

 The workshop featured paper presentations by experts as a major highlight of the event.