Eight Professors Compete for University of Jos Vice-Chancellor Position

No fewer than eight professors are competing for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, as the institution moves towards appointing a new head to oversee its academic and administrative affairs.

The development emerged on Monday during an interactive session organised by the university’s Advancement Office in collaboration with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The event, which brought together stakeholders and the vice-chancellorship aspirants, was held at the ASUU Secretariat, Naraguta Campus.

Seven of the candidates identified as participants at the session were Professors Ikonne Ogaji, Victor Duga, Sati Fwatshak, Anthony Dakum, Patricia Lar, Bernard Matur and Simon Yiltok.

During the engagement, the candidates took turns to outline their visions, leadership priorities and proposed strategies for the university.

They also responded to questions from participants on how they intended to manage the institution and address its challenges if appointed as Vice-Chancellor.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of ASUU at the University of Jos, Professor Joseph Molwus, explained that the interaction was organised to give university stakeholders an opportunity to participate actively in the process of selecting the institution’s next leader.

He said the initiative was designed to ensure that members of the university community and other relevant stakeholders were not left out of decisions that could significantly influence the institution’s future.

Molwus welcomed the keynote speakers, panellists, university officials, representatives of other labour unions and community leaders who attended the programme.

He also commended the organising committee, chaired by Professor Okechukwu Great, for working with the university’s Advancement Office to make the engagement possible.

According to him, the interaction represented the culmination of efforts aimed at promoting an inclusive and transparent process through which the aspirants could present their leadership philosophies and development plans.

Also speaking, a former Vice-Chancellor of Karl Kumm University, Professor Nanven Gambo, challenged the candidates to demonstrate how they would exercise authority responsibly and deploy their leadership positions to advance the university.

Gambo spoke on the topic, “Governance, Integrity and Inclusivity: Vision, Mission, Academic Leadership and Innovation,” stressing that effective university administration required more than occupying an influential position.

He noted that the University of Jos, being a second-generation university, faced enormous responsibilities and expectations, making the task of leading the institution particularly demanding.

He urged the aspirants to explain how they would manage the powers and responsibilities attached to the office of Vice-Chancellor, while ensuring that their leadership contributed meaningfully to the institution’s growth and development.

Gambo further emphasised that good governance remained essential to transforming the university, maintaining institutional standards and achieving its long-term academic objectives.

He challenged the candidates to demonstrate how they would move the institution from its existing position to a higher level of academic excellence, innovation and administrative effectiveness.

The interactive session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the candidates’ leadership capabilities, vision and preparedness for the responsibilities associated with the office of Vice-Chancellor.

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