University of Abuja Appoints New Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Extends Acting Registrar’s Tenure

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, chaired by Distinguished Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has ratified the appointments of Professor Rosemary Udeozor and Professor Muhammad Umar Ndagi as Deputy Vice-Chancellors for Academic and Administration, respectively.

The ratification took place during the 82nd Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on Friday, 13 February 2026, following the unopposed recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, at the 93rd Extraordinary Meeting of the Senate on 11 February 2026. The appointments, effective 13 February 2026, are for a two-year term in line with the University’s statutes.

Professor Udeozor, from the Department of Educational Management, is a seasoned academic in Educational Administration and Planning. She holds a BA Ed (1986), MEd (1988), and PhD (1995) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Since joining the University of Abuja in 1995, she has held key leadership positions including Director of the General Studies Unit, Deputy Director of the Centre for Distance Learning, and Postgraduate Programme Coordinator. She is actively engaged in professional associations such as the Nigerian Academy of Education and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Planning.

Professor Ndagi, from the Department of Arabic, is a distinguished scholar in Arabic linguistics. He holds a BEd in Islamic Studies and a PhD in Arabic from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree from the International Institute for Arabic Language, Khartoum, Sudan. With over 45 years in teaching and more than 20 years in university administration, he has served as Dean of Arts, Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, and chaired numerous university committees. He is also a Fellow of Arabic Studies in Nigeria.

Both appointees pledged to work closely with University management to advance strategic objectives, foster academic excellence, and maintain a harmonious campus environment.

In a related decision, the Governing Council approved the extension of Mal Sambo Mohammed’s tenure as Acting Registrar. Initially appointed on 11 November 2025 for a three-month term, his appointment has now been extended pending the completion of the process to select a substantive registrar.