The University of Abuja is a federal university located in Abuja, Nigeria. It was renamed Yakubu Gowon University on 16th December 2024 to honor General Yakubu Gowon, subject to final approval by the National Assembly.[2] It was established in January 1988[3] (under Decree No. 110 of 1992 as amended) as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes. Academic work began at the university in 1990 with the matriculation of its pioneer students.[4]
History
The university took off from a temporary site, made up of three blocks of building meant for a primary school in Gwagwalada, tagged the "mini-campus". Academic activities started on the mini-campus in 1990, after which the university was allocated an expanse of land covering over 11,800 hectares (29,000 acres) along the Abuja city Airport road for the development of its main campus.[3]
Relocation to the permanent site has been ongoing to date. The campus now hosts three female and two male hostels housing thousands of students. However, the distance learning offices of the university are located within the Abuja municipality (Area 3 Garki) where contact sessions of the programme are also held.
Library
The University Library was established in 1988 to support teaching, learning and research to meet the objectives of the University of Abuja with information resources online and offline. The University main library is located on the main Campus alone Airport Road, Abuja.[5]
Academics
The university offers diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes as well as a Centre for Distance Learning School which provides university education to those who cannot acquire such education through the regular university system and those interested in acquiring new knowledge and specialised skills.
A list of faculties and colleges currently at the University of Abuja include:
Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty of Art
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
School of Post Graduate Studies
School of Remedial Studies
College of Health Sciences
College of Medicine
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences
Faculty of Media and Communication Studies
The Institute of Legislative Education
The University had plans to commence the Geology and Mining program in the 2023/2024 academic session.[6]
Council and Administration
The key organs and officers involved in the administration and governance of the university are the Governing Council, the Senate, the Congregation and the Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor, Two Deputy Vice Chancellors (Administration and Academic), the Registrar and Secretary to Council, the Bursar, the University Librarian, Deans of Faculties, Directors of Centres and Institutes and Heads of Department. All these organs and officials are supported by the Committee system which is the pivot of administration of the university.[7]
The Governing Council
The Council consists of the Chairman who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the university, the Vice Chancellors (Administration and Academic) a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, four persons appointed by the National Council of Ministers representing broad national interests, four persons appointed by the Senate from its members, one persons each appointed by the Congregation and the Convocation among their members and the Registrar as Secretary to Council. The council is the highest policy-making organ of the university.
The Senate
The Senate is the highest University authority on academic matters. It is the general function of the Senate to organise and control teaching at the university and the admission and discipline of students, as well as the promotion of research. The Senate comprises the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Professors, the University Librarian, Deans, Directors and Deputy Deans, Heads of Academic Departments, one member of academic staff representing each Faculty and the Registrar as Secretary.
The Congregation
The Congregation is made up of all members of staff of the university who were university graduates by appointment. The Vice-Chancellor is its Chairman and the Registrar is the Secretary. Congregation meetings, being statutory, are called to afford members opportunities to have a say in matters affecting their welfare.
The university runs a consultancy services sub-degree program and an institute of education to cater for the professional needs of teachers and specialised needs of government education bodies; it provides avenues for the establishment of linkages on education matters with organisations and institutions within and outside Nigeria.
The University during its 96th regular meeting in May 2023 promoted 19 of its academic staff to professorial rank. 8 were promoted to the rank of professor, while 11 were promoted to the rank of associate professor.[8][9]
During the 96th Regular meeting, the Governing Council of the University of Abuja approved the appointment of the youngest professor of law in Nigeria and the first female professor of law from Northwest Nigeria, Aisha Sani Maikudi, alongside Professor Philip Afaha as Deputy Vice Chancellors Academic and Administrative respectively.[10][11][12]
Gallery
The main gate entrance of The University of Abuja Nigeria
Senate and Admin Building
University logo
Side view of Senate Building
Faculty of Arts
Centre for Distance Learning
Faculty of Management sciences
The Lady justice at Law faculty
University Clinic
Faculty of Agriculture
The new female Hostel
Faculty of Social Sciences at University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
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