By DANJUMA AMODU
Governing Council cites promotions, ADR breakthroughs, improved security and accreditation success among 14 early achievements.
The 7th Governing Council of Prince Abubakar Audu University has formally commended Vice-Chancellor Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman for what it described as a “sterling performance” within his first 100 days in office.
Prof Usman, who was appointed on 11 February 2026 after serving as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, took over amid long-standing staff agitations and litigation that had affected academic and administrative activities.
The commendation was contained in a press release issued by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Iredo Omale, following the Council’s 72nd Regular Meeting held on Friday, 22 May 2026. The meeting coincided with exactly 100 days since Prof Usman assumed office.
In the letter of commendation, personally signed by Council Chairman Prof Mohammed Suleiman Audu, the Council said it noted feedback from various stakeholders and the Vice-Chancellor’s activity report before unanimously resolving to issue a formal commendation. “The report of activities presented by the Vice-Chancellor reflects strong performance worthy of commendation,” Prof Audu stated.
Prior to the meeting, the Chairman and Members of the Governing Council paid a courtesy visit to the Ogohi Onu Anyigba, Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, and held extensive engagements with the Senate and Congregation on Wednesday at the University Auditorium.
The Council listed 14 specific achievements recorded under Prof Usman’s watch, despite what it called “lean resources and competing demands.” These include approval for the promotion of 25 academic staff to Professor and Reader ranks, comprising eight Professors and 17 Readers; machinery set in motion to resolve a two-decade crisis within the Alumni Association and the resolution of five out of 12 court cases involving the University through Alternative Dispute Resolution; and the resolution of protracted salary issues involving eight staff dating back to 2019, with affected staff restored to the State Government payroll since March 2026.
Other milestones are Senate approval for a schedule of Inaugural Lectures to increase the number from 17 to 46 by June 2027, with two already delivered and the 20th in the series set for 2 June 2026; strategic collaboration with security agencies to improve campus safety; waiver of hostel dues for Hostel Governors and initiation of refunds for those who had paid before his assumption of office; renovation of the abandoned Dangana Hostel; repair of five of 13 non-functional boreholes and new borehole drilling to address water shortages; and the relocation of campus business activities to a designated market in line with the University master plan.
The Council also noted a 100% success rate for all 22 programmes presented for the 2025 accreditation exercise initiated by the former administration; the processing of new salary scales for academic staff for State Government approval; and a multi-million naira Library and Research Centre pledged by an alumnus for the Department of Accounting, with construction set for June 2026. A new partnership with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has improved public power supply, with plans for solar deployment in strategic areas to boost teaching, research and illumination of the campus.
The Council said the achievements were “consistent with his track record at Kogi State Polytechnic where he served as Rector,” and thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for approving its recommendation for Prof Usman’s appointment.
Reacting to the commendation, Prof Usman appreciated the Chairman and members of the Governing Council for the confidence reposed in him and promised to sustain the trust “with more commitment to the overall growth and development of the University.” He also thanked the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, for “laying the foundation which he promised to sustain and improve upon,” and expressed gratitude to management, staff, students, host communities, security agencies, traditional institutions and religious leaders for their support over the last 100 days.
