By Francis Nansak, Lafia
Ahead of professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed’s administration nearing an end after a successful five-year single-term tenure as Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi, the governing council of the institution has a task on desk to battle with.
Nasarawa State University Keffi, established over two decades ago, recorded an unprecedented rise in academics, infrastructure, and international relations amidst various affiliations of both human and professional developments.
Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Fifth VC to this state-owned university has remodel the institution having a landmark any successor could take advantage on for more development.
It is on this development and looking forward that the governing council of Nasarawa State University, especially the recently constituted Professor Attahiru Jega led Governing Council in line with the established advancement must meticulously consider merit and experience to arriving at a successor that can further the existing development in the university without political or any form of sentiment
New National Star observed and report that the state university has a number of vibrant and very competitive professors of meritorious academic awards ,who in their experiences are capable of heading any 21st century university in the country.
Records of recent events under the leadership of Professor Suleiman Bala revealed how proficient and experienced these categories of lecturers are in the university through the introduction of a monthly lecture series where each professor presents his paper with a revolutional solution on how best the nation can tackle development and economic advancements.
But the crux of the matter as Nasarawa State University keffi shall in Three months or so be having a new Vice Chancellor,leaves a task on the newly constituted governing council on naming a successor who will forge on with the existing development in the school.
At the top of the management cadre are the likes of Professor Abdullahi Maddibo and Professor Theophilus Lagi who are DVCs occupying the offices of academics and administration respectively,however there are other professors who are equally eligible and well experienced .
They includes the likes of Professor Maikano Ari, professor Andrew Zamani, Professor Jonathan Ayubaand Professor Suleiman Aruwa among many but to mention just a few, who the governing council should as a matter of progress for development of the university beam their search light .
Though appointment of a VC is not in any way supposed to be viewed politically but it also have such likely characteristic which may be from who the visitor of the school may vest his interest on . Although with guidance of the governing council, a critical and crutial consideration for merit could be preferred.
It would be recalled that professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed was appointed acting vice chancellor in the year 2018 and later confirmed in 2019 as substantive vice chancellor.The erudite professor(Bufalo Soldier) took over and promised to curbed out unethical practices , exams malpractices , end cultism and bring development, which he has worked hard to achieve in five years.The stride which was cheered by those that in one way or the order graced occasions organized by the varsity.
As his tenure of Five years is nearing completion by April 2024, the task of shopping for a successor by the Professor Attahiru Jega governing council has become a challenge and this must without any means of political favouritism take a meritious consideration in order to continue on the good foundation laid by successive administration of the institution.
This moves can not exclude some form of interest from stakeholders, however, a seamless and articulated process will be an added value to the aims of establishing the university.
To this end and if due process will be adhered to , any lucky professor that will make the choice of the governing board to be vice chancellor must be a professor who have Five to Seven years experience, that is a skilled human resources manager and with high level of discipline in both financial handling, a dedicated and committed individual whose records of international relationship could foster foreign interest .
And to factor in certain interests based on how the university have been administered, both Nasarawa South and Western zone have produced the university helmsman, who are Professor Mainoma Akaro from the southern zone and now Professor Suleiman Mohammed who fairly represents the Western zone. That shows that the Northern senatorial zone which the visitor of the university comes from is yet to produce a Vice-Chancellor.
Give and take the processes from the Senate of the university, who are in charge of nominating for the governing council,who thereafter end at the table of the Governor is a game to watch. Nevertheless, Nasarawa State University deserves a VC that can continue from where Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed will stop.