15 Popular Universities in Nigeria with Abusites as Vice-Chancellors

As the saying goes, “Abusites are the salt of the nation”. Hardly will you find any prominent institution, establishment or agency without an abusite at the top or close to the top. The university system isn’t an exception. More than sixty percent of universities in Nigeria have had an abusite as it’s vice-chancellor at one point or another. It is difficult to be sure how many abusites are currently holding the VC positions across all Nigerian universities – federal, state and private.

But here is a list of 15 Popular Universities in Nigeria with Abusites as Vice-Chancellors

National open University – NOUN

The National Open University of Nigeria popularly referred to as ‘NOUN’ is a federal Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution, the first of its kind in the West African sub-region. It is Nigeria’s largest tertiary institution in terms of student numbers.

The Current Vice-Chancellor is prof Abdalla Uba Adamu, a renowned scholar, and distinguished abusite. He received his undergraduate B.Sc (Education) degree in Education, Biology, and Physiology in 1979 at Ahmadu Bello University before proceeding to Chelsea College, the University of London where he earned a Master of Arts in science education in 1983. He earned his doctorate at the University of Sussex in 1988 under the sponsorship of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Federal university Duste – FUD

The Federal University Dutse (FUD), received its charter, along with eight other newly established Federal Universities, from the Federal government of Nigeria on February 9, 2011. The University’s campus is located in the capital of Jigawa State, Dutse, an ancient town in northwestern Nigeria

Another distinguished abusite, Professor Fatima Batul Mukhtar is the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria. Fatima is a renowned professor of Botany with plant physiology as her area of specialization. She attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she graduated with a degree in Botany in 1984. She did her master’s degree at Bayero University, Kano in 1994. And a Ph.D. program in Botany (plant physiology) in 2005.

Federal University of Technology – FUTMinna

Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA) founded in 1983, is a Federal Government established specialized educational institution located in Minna, Specializing in technological education.

Prof. Abdullahi Bala, a renowned academic, author, and professor of soil science is the current and seventh substantive vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, a post he assumed in December 2017. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc degree) in 1989 from the great Ahmadu Bello University. He later studied at the University of Reading, the United Kingdom where he earned a master’s degree in Soil Chemistry, and at Wye College, the  University of London where he received a doctorate degree in Soil Microbiology.

Federal University Gusau – FUGUS

Federal University Gusau, also known by the acronym FUGUS, located in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, Nigeria was one of the last 3 new federal universities in 2010.

Its vice-chancellor is Professor Magaji Garba of the Department of Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Federal University Dutsin-ma – FUDMA

Federal University Dutsin-Ma was established by the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. located in the Dutsin-ma Local government Area of Katsina State.

Professor Adamu Ncahma Baba-Kutigi is currently Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Dutsinma replacing another abusite, Professor Haruna Abdu Kaita who is suspended. He attended the former University of Sokoto, now Usman Danfodio University, from which he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and later Masters and Doctoral degrees in physics from ABU Zaria.

Bigham University

Bingham University located in Karu, 25 kilometers from the Federal Capital city of Nigeria Abuja, was established in 2005 by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) as a Conventional University.

The vice-chancellor Prof. William B. Qurix is a professor of Architecture. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1987 and a Ph.D. in Architecture in 1997, both from Ahmadu Bello University.

Taraba State University -TASU

Taraba State University is located in Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria. The university was established by the Taraba State Government in 2008, to widen access to university education for Taraba State indigenes and promote economic development in the country.

Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, a professor of Agronomy and live Crops Production is presently the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Jalingo. The Agronomist is a former Vice-Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Professor Vincent Tenebe finished his B.Sc (Agric) cum laude in 1982, M.Sc. Agronomy in 1988 at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and his Ph.D., Agronomy at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi in 1995.

Bauchi State University (BASUG)

Bauchi State University Gadau (BASUG) is a Bauchi state government-owned University located in Bauchi State in Nigeria. Its main campus is in Gadau which comprises faculty of Sciences & Arts, with other campuses in Misau (faculty of Law) and Bauchi (faculty of social & management) respectively.

The Vice-Chancellor of Bauchi State University, Gadau is Professor Awwal Uba. He attended the School of Basic Studies (SBS), ABU Zaria, from 1983 to 1984; and then admitted into the Faculty of Science of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1984, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology in 1987. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Medical Microbiology from the University of Maiduguri in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology in 2004 from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.

Gombe State University – GSU

Gombe State Univeristy is a state owned university located in Gombe state northern Nigeria, The University is managed by the state government. Gombe state university was established in 2004, The University was established so indigenes of the state have easier access to quality education. 

Professor Ibrahim Umar is the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Gombe State University (GOMSU). Following the expiration of his tenure and subsequent appointment of Prof. Usman Aliyu Elnafaty as the new VC. Prof Umar obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1981 and a Ph. D from the University of Salford, England, on Nuclear and Radiochemistry in 1987.

Gombe State University of Science and Technology – GSUTECH

Gombe State University of Science and Technology (GSUTECH or GSUST), Kumo Established in 2017 and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the 2nd State University in Gombe State, making it the 46th State University, 86th Public University and 154th University in Nigeria.

The renowned abusite historian, Professor, Abdullahi Mahadi, CON is the Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University of Technology, Kumo.

Nasarawa State University – NSUK

Nasarawa State University, Keffi is a young university situated in the middle belt region of Nigeria. It was established under the Nasarawa State Law No. 2 of 2001 as passed by the State House of Assembly. 

PROF. SULEIMAN BALA MOHAMMED, is the VICE-CHANCELLOR, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI. He was admitted into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1984 and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. Between 1990 and 2001, he was a postgraduate student at the University of Jos, where he bagged Master of Science Degree (M.Sc. Sociology) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. Sociology) in 1994 and 2001, respectively. 

Kaduna State University – KASU

The Kaduna State University (KASU) was established under the Kaduna State Law No. 3 promulgated on 21st May, 2004. The promulgation was a consequence of the obvious and felt need to boost higher education in the State and the country in general. The underlying factor is the fact that the demand for University education in Nigeria has, since the past few years, risen astronomically. 

Professor Muhammad Tanko is the Vice-Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU).  

Umaru Musa Yaradua University – UMYU

Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, formerly known as Katsina State University, was established under the Katsina State Law No.7 of September 2006. The Katsina State University was conceived to serve as a nucleus for the socio-economic, technological and political development of the State by producing highly skilled human resources through conventional face-to-face and distance learning modes.

The Vice-Chancellor is Prof. Idris Isah Funtua. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. He obtained an M. Sc in 1989 and aPh.D in 1993 in Geology and an MBA in 1998 from the same University. Additionally, he had attended various training in the field of Neutron Activation Analysis, Analytical Chemistry, Radiation Measurements, and Monitoring and Industrial Applications of Radiation Technology.

Ondo State University of Science and Technology – OSUSTech

Ondo State University of Science and Technology also known as OSUSTech is a state-owned university located in Okitipupa in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nigeria. OSUSTECH was established on 27 September 2010 and started academic activities in January 2011, and currently offers various programs 

Prof. Roberts Ogunduyile is an abusite, renowned Nigerian academic and current Vice-chancellor of Ondo State University of Science and Technology He got his B.A Industrial design (1980), M.A Industrial design (1985), Ph.D. Industrial design (1996, Postgraduate studies Education (1983) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Ibrahim Babangida University

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University is a state government-owned university in Niger State, central Nigeria. It had its first convocation in 2014. It was named after the former Nigeria Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida. The university started academic activities in the 2005/2006 academic session.

Both the outgoing vice chancellor and incoming are abusites. Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen MAITURARE, the outgoing vc attended the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was awarded B.Sc. Actuarial Science in 1985, M.B.A., in 1989, and Ph.D. in Business Administration in 2001.

While Prof. Adamu Kasim is the new Vice-Chancellor of the University. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained B.Sc. Botany, M.Sc Botany, and Ph.D., crop breeding from the same Institution. He is a member of professional bodies such as the Botanical Society of Nigeria, Genetic Society of Nigeria, National Association of Nuclear Scientist and Science Teachers Association of Nigeria among others

Baze University

Baze University is a private University in Nigeria Located in the Capital Abuja. It was established in 2011 by Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed a Nigerian economist and politician.

A distinguished abusite, Professor Tahir Mamman, OON, SAN, is the second Vice-Chancellor of Baze University. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1983 and graduated from the Nigerian Law School a year later. He was employed by the University of Maiduguri and was later elevated to the Dean of the Faculty of Law. He acquired his Master’s Degree from the University of Warwick and, soon after, his Ph.D.