The Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja, has disclosed that it has empowered over 12,000 of its students with various entrepreneurial skills aimed at making them self-reliant after graduation. The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Patricia Lar, made this known during a media parley with journalists held on Wednesday in Abuja, where she outlined her achievements since assuming office five months ago.
Professor Lar, who took over leadership of the institution following the removal of the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudi, and the dissolution of the university’s governing council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that part of the university’s repositioning strategy is to ensure that graduates are equipped with skills that will make them employable and self-sufficient.
“The experience of students has been enriched through the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and our student empowerment centre,” Professor Lar stated. “We have introduced measures that make the campus experience more enriching. Over 12,000 students have been empowered practically through those centres to enrich their academic experience.”
She added that the new approach ensures that the current generation of students will graduate with a blend of academic knowledge and practical skills. “You can imagine students graduating with their own companies registered. These are some of the attributes that are repositioning the university as a top destination for admission seekers. The competition for admission will only get higher with the ongoing reforms,” she said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor also addressed issues concerning students who are unable to access the government’s student loan programme administered by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) due to the absence of admission letters issued by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). She assured that the university is actively working to resolve the matter so that affected students can benefit from the loan scheme.
“Students who do not have their admission letters issued by JAMB should visit the JAMB portal and upload their details, or they can come directly to the office of Students Affairs or my office for assistance,” she explained. “Possession of the JAMB admission letter is a key requirement to access the loan, but this situation is being remedied. Affected students should fill out the necessary forms on the portal to obtain their admission letters.”
Professor Lar revealed that upon her appointment by President Tinubu, she was tasked with restoring legitimacy, good governance, and boosting the institutional morale of the university. She noted that her interim leadership has already made positive impacts in the areas of academic reforms, infrastructure development, governance restructuring, and student-centered initiatives.
She revealed that a committee was constituted to clear the backlog of promotions for over 40 professors and associate professors, which she met pending when she assumed office. According to her, this effort was necessary to boost the morale of the academic staff and ensure that the university maintains high standards of academic excellence.
Additionally, Professor Lar disclosed that the issue of over 200 fake admissions discovered when she assumed office has been addressed. She said a committee was set up to investigate the causes of the fake admissions and appropriate remedies have been implemented to prevent recurrence.
“Nigerians should stop paying money to obtain admission,” she warned, emphasizing the university’s commitment to transparency and due process in its admissions process.
The Acting Vice Chancellor also highlighted the restoration of industrial peace in the university. She explained that her administration has reconciled with various university-based unions including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
“Through dialogue and diplomacy, we have managed to reconcile aggrieved factions. Today, Yakubu Gowon University enjoys a peaceful working environment,” she said.
Professor Lar affirmed her commitment to continuing reforms that will strengthen the university’s reputation and ensure that it remains a centre of excellence in education, research, and entrepreneurship.
The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University was among the decisions taken by the federal government to reflect national history and recognize the contributions of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
