The Governing Council of the University of Abuja has announced the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
The announcement was made during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
The appointment, approved under the leadership of Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), takes effect from January 1, 2025, for a non-renewable tenure of five years.
Maikudi emerged as the top candidate among 10 shortlisted applicants after a rigorous interview process conducted by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, adhering strictly to the university’s governance regulations.
Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi has served as Acting Vice-Chancellor since July 5, 2024, during a period of institutional challenges. Under her interim leadership, she collaborated with the Governing Council to stabilize the university, earning widespread respect for her commitment and vision.
Born on January 31, 1983, in Katsina State, Maikudi’s journey to academic leadership is a testament to excellence and perseverance. After completing her primary education at Sacred Heart School, Kaduna, in 1993, she attended Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, where she obtained her WASSCE in 1999.
Her pursuit of higher education led her to the University of Reading, UK, where she earned an LLB in 2004. She specialized in Public International Law, earning an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005, followed by legal training at the Nigerian Law School (2006–2007). In 2015, she attained a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja.
Joining the University of Abuja as Lecturer II in 2008, Maikudi quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a professor in 2021. Her achievements include serving as the first female Head of Department (2013), the first female Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law (2018), and the pioneering Director of the University’s International Centre (2019).
An innovator, Maikudi introduced the ‘United Nations Law’ course at the University of Abuja in 2019. Her extensive research and publications have advanced legal scholarship, while her supervision of theses and dissertations has nurtured the next generation of legal minds.
She has represented Nigeria at numerous national and international conferences across countries such as the UK, US, South Africa, and China. A prolific speaker, she has delivered papers on diverse topics, further enhancing her reputation as a global academic leader.
Professor Maikudi is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and the Nigerian Society of International Law.
Reflecting on her appointment, Maikudi stated, “It is a profound honor to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of this great institution. My commitment is to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity as we navigate the next chapter of the University of Abuja’s journey.”
