Katsina Varsity Pleads For More Staff

The management of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, has appealed to the state government for the recruitment of additional academic staff to strengthen teaching and research capacity and to meet National Universities Commission (NUC)’s accreditation requirements.

The vice-chancellor, Prof Shehu Salihu Muhammad, made the appeal during the 14th convocation ceremony of the university, where he said that at least 43 academic programmes currently require more qualified personnel to satisfy NUC benchmarks and sustain the university’s growing academic portfolio.

According to him, the request has become urgent following the steady expansion of the university in student enrolment and academic programmes, coupled with the exit of some staff due to retirement, resignation and appointments to public offices.

He explained that UMYU, which began with about 1,000 students, now has a population of over 20,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, offering more than 100 programmes in 17 faculties. This growth, he said, has increased pressure on existing staff and facilities.

The vice-chancellor noted that the university recently presented 28 undergraduate programmes for accreditation by the NUC and expressed optimism about positive outcomes.