The University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University) has promoted 104 academic staff, including 58 professors and 46 associate professors, across diverse disciplines

The University of Abuja, now officially known as Yakubu Gowon University, has approved the promotion of 104 academic staff members to professorial ranks — the largest in the institution’s history, according to university officials.

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This was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by Dr. Habib Yakoob, Acting Director of Information and University Relations.

58 academic staff were promoted to the rank of Professor
46 academic staff were elevated to Associate Professor

The promotions span a wide range of disciplines, including:

Agriculture & Animal Science
Islamic Studies & Ethics
Clinical Sciences (Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radiology, Ophthalmology)
Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Electrical)
Pharmacology & Applied Mathematics
Theatre Arts, Education, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences

Prof. Mathew Adamu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the newly promoted academics, describing the milestone as a “recognition of hard work, academic excellence, and commitment to institutional values.”

“This is the highest number of professorial promotions in the history of this university,” Adamu said. “It underscores the university’s commitment to rewarding excellence and expanding its human resource capacity.”

He encouraged the promoted staff to view their new ranks not just as personal accomplishments but as opportunities for greater impact in teaching, research, mentorship, and community service.

This wave of promotions marks a turning point for the university, which was recently renamed in honour of General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State.

The Governing Council, led by Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, played a pivotal role in facilitating the promotion process, which university authorities say is part of a broader drive to position the institution as a future world-class university.

Prof. Adamu reassured staff that the institution is committed to improving the reward system, maintaining administrative stability, and supporting faculty development.

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“With the stability the University currently enjoys, greater achievements lie ahead,” he said. “We are determined to make timely academic progression a standard practice.”

David Okere

David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.