For their large size, ABU C’ttee recommends splitting of PPMS, University Health Services
Ahmadu Bello University Committee on Restructuring of Administrative Units under the Vice-Chancellor’s Office into Directorate System has submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed.
The eight-member committee, chaired by Prof Muhammad Dauda of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, submitted its findings and recommendations to the University Management on Monday, 29th September, 2025.
It recommended, among many others, that the Physical Planning and Municipal Services (PPMS) and University Health Services (UHS) should be split into two directorates each.
The committee, which further suggested phased implementation strategies, stressed that PPMS and UHS were so large that their operations became cumbersome.
The committee also recommended that PPMS, UHS, PAD, IAIICT, University Security Division, DAIE, and Internal Audit Unit could be considered for implementation of the directorate model in the short term.
It, however, said Fire Service, Guidance and Counselling, Gender Unit, Sports Directorate, Legal Services Directorate, DAPM, Research and Innovation Directorate, and EMDC could be considered for the long term implementation after addressing existing manpower needs.
The committee also recommended that other units could be considered in the medium term implementation phase.
The Prof Muhammad Dauda-led committee said as for the immediate implementation there was assurance by the Bursary Department that budgetary provisions had been made in the 2026 fiscal year.
Prof Dauda explained that findings by the committee revealed “wholesale interest in the directorate model”.
He said the committee identified appropriate structures/offices for implementation.
When implemented, according to him, the new structures would ensure career progression to allow deserving staff to progress to CONTISS 14 and 15 as the case maybe.
“This will ultimately lead to enhanced motivation and productivity”, according to Prof Dauda.
The committee further observed that some of the research-based units and centres were not functioning optimally due to lack of adequate synergy with relevant academic units.
For example, the committee cited Venom, Anti-venom and Natural Toxins Research Centre and recommended that such centre should be devolved to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Equally, the committee recommended regular training of the non-teaching staff who should be encouraged to specialise in the different functions of their operations to engender professionalisation.
The university raised the committee to advise on enhanced career progression of administrative staff and improve the efficiency and responsiveness of service delivery at the highest management level.
In the course of its assignment, the committee identified 31 units under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, wrote letters to 18 heads of unit for inputs, and interacted with 16 of them on the submissions they made.
Receiving the report, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, appreciated the committee immensely for the job well done.
Prof Ahmed assured the chairman and members of the committee that the university would carefully study the report with a view to implementing the recommendations to the letter.
Members of the committee included Malam Yakubu A Anivbassa, Prof Musa Idris, and Prof Jinjiri Kabiru Ringim.
Others were Prof (Mrs) N A Madugu, Mrs J O Kwaga, Engr Dr Mohammed Aminu Sambo, and Malam Musa Ahmadu, who served as Secretary.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (AHW)
Tuesday, 30th September, 2025
