The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Professor Mathew Adamu as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University. His appointment, which takes effect from Monday, August 11, 2025, is for a three-month tenure.
In an official statement, the Acting Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mrs. Roseline Adakayi, confirmed that Professor Adamu will succeed Professor Patricia Manko Lar, who had been serving in an acting capacity since February 2025 under a six-month appointment. Professor Lar’s tenure officially concluded in early August.
Mrs. Adakayi noted that during her stewardship, Professor Lar provided purposeful and visionary leadership, maintained academic and administrative stability, and, in collaboration with the University’s statutory organs, successfully initiated the selection process for the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The statement further conveyed the University community’s deep appreciation to Professor Lar for her dedication, unwavering commitment to excellence, and significant contributions to the institution’s progress.
According to the release, Professor Adamu’s primary mandate is to work closely with the Governing Council, chaired by Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, to bring the ongoing Vice-Chancellor selection process to a successful conclusion in line with statutory provisions and established guidelines.
The Acting Registrar expressed her best wishes for Professor Adamu, describing him as a seasoned academic leader well-positioned to steer the institution through this transition period.
Professor Adamu is a highly respected veterinary scientist with an illustrious academic journey spanning more than two decades.
He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1998 and his Master of Science degree in 2006, both from the University of Maiduguri. He went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Veterinary Surgery from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2012.
His professional achievements include becoming a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and attaining the rank of full Professor in 2019, specialising in Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology (Helminthology).
With twenty-seven years of professional practice as a registered veterinarian, Professor Adamu has contributed extensively to teaching, research, extension services, and the supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Following his graduation, Professor Adamu began his career as a Youth Corps Veterinarian and Corps Liaison Officer in Dan Musa, Katsina State, before entering private veterinary practice in Minna, Niger State. In early 2006, he joined the Nigeria Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research in Kaduna.
Later, he moved to the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi—now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University—where he steadily rose through the academic ranks to become a Professor in 2019. His years at Makurdi were marked by notable administrative and academic leadership roles.
Between 2014 and 2018, he headed the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology while also serving as Deputy Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine from 2014 to 2016. He was subsequently appointed Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (2018–2023) and later served as Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Professor Adamu’s wealth of experience, coupled with his academic and administrative expertise, is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding Yakubu Gowon University during this period of leadership transition.