By Moh Bello Habib, Zaria
The Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was established by the then Premier of Northern Nigeria Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardaunan Sokoto to accommodate not people of the region but across the nation.
The Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Adamu Ahmed Ningi made the disclosure while addressing press conference on the University’s 63 year anniversary at the weekend.
Professor Ahmed said that at its take off in 1962 the University began modestly with just 4 Faculties and 15 academic departments with Students population of 425 as well as dedicated academic and administrative drawn both locally and internationally, adding that from its earliest years the varsity distinguished its self by embracing diversity in its students population and work force
“This Cosmopolitan outlook was consistent with the vision of Sardauna, who wanted an institution where every Nigerian, irrespective of background, could find a home and contribute to nation building.
“Over the decades the University has grown remarkably, today we boast of 18 Faculties, 110 academic Departments and a vast array of undergraduates and Postgraduates programmes. It currently has 7 Institutes, 4 Colleges and 17 research Centres beside being Ntional Centre of the UNESCO International Institute online Education (IIOE0) our Staff strength has grown into tens of thousands and we continue to largest single-university system in sub-Saharan Africa. The Ahmadu Bello University of today is unique in several ways, we are proud to remain the most Cosmopolitan university in Nigeria-true to its funding ideal: a community with Staff and students drawn from every States and Local Governments of Nigeria, reflecting our national diversity and unity, we host more 100 international collaborations and partnerships. We home to 600Professors the largest number of any Nigerian university.
“Ahmadu Bello University is rightly called ‘University of Universities’ having midwifed nearly every tertiary Institution in Northern Nigeria.our alumni community currently exceeds 600,000 spread across the world, shaping industries, government and institutions”. The Vice Chancellor said
He complained that his University had continued to face funding constraints which negatively affected most of its activities.
Professor Ahmed further said that exit of talented Staff of institution to better for opportunities within and outside Nigerian was detrimental to the system.
End.
