UNIJOS Appoints First Female Vice-Chancellor as Prof. Patricia Lar Makes History

The University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, has appointed Professor Patricia Mamko Lar as its new Vice-Chancellor, making her the first woman to occupy the institution’s top administrative position since its establishment in 1971.

Her appointment marks a historic turning point in the university’s leadership history and represents a significant milestone for women in Nigeria’s academic and higher education sector.

Professor Lar succeeds Professor Tanko Ishaya, becoming the 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The appointment was officially announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a special meeting of the university’s 15th Governing Council.

According to a statement released by the university, the announcement was made by Senator Grace Folashade Bent, CON, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

The statement confirmed that Professor Lar would formally take over from Professor Ishaya as the 11th substantive and first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos.

During the presentation of her letter of appointment, Senator Bent congratulated the incoming Vice-Chancellor and charged her to remain focused and committed to the responsibilities associated with the office.

She also emphasised the importance of providing purposeful leadership as Professor Lar prepares to steer the affairs of the institution.

Professor Lar is an established academic and Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Jos.

Her appointment is coming against the backdrop of years of academic and administrative experience within Nigeria’s university system.

Before her emergence as substantive Vice-Chancellor, she served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, formerly known as the University of Abuja, for a six-month period.

Her experience in university administration is expected to be valuable as she assumes responsibility for the institution’s academic direction, administration, research development and overall institutional growth.

Founded in 1971, the University of Jos is one of Nigeria’s prominent federal universities.

Since its establishment, the institution has been headed by successive male Vice-Chancellors until Professor Lar’s historic emergence.

Her appointment therefore ends more than five decades of exclusively male leadership at the university’s highest administrative level.

The development has placed Professor Lar in a significant position in the institution’s history, as she becomes the first woman to lead the university as substantive Vice-Chancellor.

The statement announcing her appointment was signed by Emmanuel Madugu, ANIPR, Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, on behalf of the Registrar and Secretary to Council.

The university indicated that further details concerning the appointment would be communicated subsequently.

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