ANUPA Elects New Exco, Honours Distinguished Personalities

The 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference of the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) has ended with the election of a new National Executive Committee (NEC) to lead the association for the next two years.

The newly elected NEC members are the president, Dr. Victor Mkuma Bem (Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University); Francisca I. Ayodele (University of Ibadan) as first vice president; Mrs. Jallaba Musa Sheikh (University of Maiduguri) as second vice president; Dr. Roseline Iruoma Ojinta (University of Nigeria, Nsukka) as general secretary.

Other key members are the treasurer, publicity secretary, training officer and legal adviser.

The event was officially opened by the former acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Jibril Maiyaki.

Represented by the acting director of human resources, Mrs. Victoria Omorodion, Maiyaki commended the ANUPA NEC for their dedication to the professional development of university administrators. He wished participants a successful AGM and pledged the NUC’s continued support for ANUPA.

Dr. Victor Mkuma Bem, the outgoing president, emphasised ANUPA’s commitment to its goals despite challenges within the university system, particularly prioritising the chartering of ANUPA.

In his first-term report, Dr. Bem applauded the resilience of the ANUPA family, including the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Council (NC), branch executives and all members for keeping the association active amidst instability in the university system caused by various challenges.

He reiterated that the bill to charter ANUPA remained the top priority of his administration and urged branches to take necessary steps to facilitate the early chartering of ANUPA.

The event also recognised distinguished individuals for their significant contributions to university administration.

Two awards of excellence were presented to Engr. Prof. Isaac Nathaniel Itodo, vice-chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM) and Mr. Joseph Ife Oluwole, the registrar of Ekiti State University in recognition of their pivotal roles in educational development.

In response, both Prof. Itodo and Mr. Oluwole expressed deep gratitude. Prof. Itodo highlighted the dedication and commitment of university professional administrators at his institution, stating that he had approved the promotion of deputy registrars to the rank of director in recognition of their hard work.

He reaffirmed his commitment to ANUPA’s goals, especially in the training and re-training of university staff and pledged continued support for ANUPA’s national leadership under Dr. Bem. Both honorees expressed their ongoing support for ANUPA’s objectives.

The event also featured various lectures on topics such as leveraging AI in university administration, record management, university governance, and enhancing cybersecurity, all designed to equip members with vital skills for the evolving landscape of higher education.

In his keynote address, Mr. Joseph Ife Oluwole, chairman of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), described ANUPA as the brainchild of ARNU and pledged ARNU’s unwavering support for ANUPA’s activities, aimed at the continued development of university professional administrators.