The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, has approved Prof Abdullahi Abubakar’s appointment as Acting General Manager for ABU Estate Management Company.
As an incorporated subsidiary of Ahmadu Bello University, the company is charged with the critical responsibility of managing, maintaining, and optimising the institution’s real estate assets, including staff quarters, rental housing, commercial properties, and land assets within and outside the campuses.
Prof Abubakar, Head of the Department of Architecture, is presently the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design.
A statement issued by Auwalu Umar, Director of the Public Affairs Directorate.
Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said Abubakar’s appointment, according to the Vice-Chancellor, furthered the university’s commitment to reposition and restructure its strategic service units for greater efficiency, transparency, and financial viability.
The Vice-Chancellor’s letter to Prof Abubakar conveying the new assignment also said the appointment was in recognition of his experience as a former Head of Department and his professional standing as an architect of repute.
“It is expected that you will bring to bear your proven capacity for strategic planning and operational discipline in restoring accountability, functional service delivery, and innovation within the company”, said the letter.
The appointment, which is with immediate effect, is for an initial period of six months pending the establishment of a permanent management structure of the company.
Specifically, the Acting General Manager is expected to ensure the fulfilment of the company’s foundational mandates, which include, among other things, managing university residential properties located within the campuses and other locations like Kabba, Kano, Jos, Abuja, Lagos, and Zaria.
He is also to conduct a comprehensive audit and inventory of university lands across the country and work with the University Management Committee to ensure the updating of existing Certificates of Occupancy and acquisition of the same for lands that do not have them.
The new appointee is expected to develop and implement a framework to engage students on SIWES and internship placements, leveraging the company’s operational projects for learning exposure and practical training.
In addition, he should create opportunities for students to earn modest stipends through structured involvement in facility management, design support, and maintenance services.
While congratulating Prof Abubakar on the appointment, the Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that Abubakar’s leadership would mark a new era of transformation, responsibility, and service excellence in ABU Estate Management Company.
