The acting Vice-chancellor, of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, has called on the university community to set aside divisions and work collectively towards restoring the institution’s honour and academic excellence.
Speaking at the University Senate meeting on Tuesday, her first since assuming office, Professor Lar emphasized the critical role of academics in shaping students’ character and learning, while urging faculty members to embrace decorum, respect, and self-restraint.
“But for us to move forward, we must agree that we have not exhibited the highest or loftiest sense of decorum, tolerance, respect for each other, and self-restraint in the face of provocation. These are characteristics of a community of noble scholars,” she charged.
She further stressed the need for unity, noting that the institution’s location in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory was an asset that must be leveraged for academic excellence. “With the great potential and scholars of international repute in this institution, and our strategic location in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria — which is a place of strength — we cannot but work together for a great citadel of knowledge.”
Professor Lar recalled her arrival on campus on February 11, 2025, expressing gratitude for the warm reception she received from both teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as key university officials. However, she acknowledged that the institution had endured a “turbulent succession crisis which has undoubtedly affected its rating among universities of repute that warranted the visitor’s intervention.”
Despite these challenges, she commended the university’s resilience and rapid recovery.
She reiterated her primary mandate: overseeing a transparent selection process for the university’s eighth substantive vice-chancellor within her six-month tenure. She urged all stakeholders to foster an atmosphere of peace and inclusivity to ensure a smooth transition.
“The process of appointing a new vice-chancellor will commence soon, once a full council is constituted, and representatives from the Senate and Congregation will be elected accordingly,” she explained. “And this task cannot be accomplished in an atmosphere of mistrust, chaos, or division.”
Professor Lar called for the election of strong, selfless, and capable representatives who uphold the values of fairness and accountability, stressing that these qualities are essential for the university’s progress.
Providing an update on her engagements since assuming office, she recounted her familiarisation tour across all 16 faculties and various centres, which uncovered several pressing issues, including:
Delays in staff promotions
Acute staff shortages
Inadequate student hostels
A dysfunctional portal system
“As an immediate intervention, I have constituted a committee to interrogate this hydra-headed challenge and advise on a robust portal system for our operations as a world-class university,” she revealed.
Professor Lar acknowledged the contributions of past vice-chancellors in building the university and urged the community to shift its focus towards positive narratives.
“This university is far better than what is often projected in the media. We must change the narrative and start telling our own success stories,” she stated. “But we need to come together to change the narrative, to start telling a positive story of ourselves instead of the cankerous smear campaign out there we’re known for.”
She also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, advocating for better representation of diverse groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and religious minorities.
The acting vice-chancellor expressed gratitude to the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, for his commitment to the university’s progress. She also thanked staff and students for their continued support, calling on everyone to work together for the institution’s transformation.
“As we move forward, I urge everyone to partner with me in fostering a peaceful and collaborative academic environment,” she concluded.
