Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is grappling with a steady loss of skilled staff to better opportunities both within Nigeria and abroad, according to the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Adamu Ahmed. He made this known during a press conference held as part of events marking the university’s 63rd anniversary in Zaria.
Mr Ahmed expressed concern over the challenges confronting the university, particularly aging infrastructure and poor remuneration, which he said have weakened staff motivation. “Aging infrastructure and poor remuneration have dampened staff motivation. It is disheartening to state that the university has lost nearly 2,000 staff in the last five years,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the university is in urgent need of new and replacement staff to maintain the quality of its academic and research programs. “Presently, there is a particular programme run by the university whose staff are 95 per cent professors. This development may risk non-accreditation of the programme in subsequent time and result in a shortage of those who will take over from the existing high-calibere staff,” he explained.
He identified inadequate funding as a major factor hindering the university’s operations, noting that it has limited ABU’s ability to renovate infrastructure, expand its library, and support research development. Despite these challenges, Mr Ahmed said the university is working to modernize its academic systems and improve learning outcomes through technology and innovation.
According to him, “We shall strengthen the Distance Learning Centre (DLC), the largest in Nigeria, to increase the pace at which education is taken to every home, ensuring that no family is left behind. In this way, ABU will not only expand access but also contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in inclusive education and reducing inequality.”
He called on the university’s alumni community to support the institution through endowment gifts, annual giving, and donations aimed at securing ABU’s future. Mr Ahmed also commended the federal government under President Bola Tinubu for implementing bold economic and education reforms that aim to strengthen the nation’s development goals.