ABU Counseling & Human Development Centre launches Students’ Support Associates
The Counseling and Human Development Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has launched ‘Students’ Support Associates’ – SSA.
The launch took place at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria on Wednesday, 8th April, 2026.
In a keynote speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, congratulated the Director and all staff of Centre for the SSA lauch.
He said the development was a testament of their competence, professionalism, and enthusiasm in making the lives of students better.
Prof Ahmed stated that the 108 students support associates drawn from 18 faculties would help their younger ones on campus reduce academic pressure.
The Vice-Chancellor also said he had recently visited Family Homes, who pledged to support the university by building 1600 bed space capacity hostel.
In the next three months, he said, the university would host the second cohort of the ‘Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor’ programme, where he would have the opportunity of having an elaborate discussion with the students.
He thanked the President of the ABU Alumni Association Worldwide, Malam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, for always being present to support in different functions of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the SSAs to do everything humanly possible to ensure zero examination malpractice in this academic session.
He said it pains the University Management to seat at Senate meetings and approve the withdrawal of students three months to graduation.
The Director, Counseling and Human Development Centre, Prof Hadiza Ahmed Tukur, spoke on the initiative.
She explained that the programme was conceived with a simple, but powerful vision, to build a university community where students support students, mentorship becomes a culture and success is shared.
Prof Hadiza said they recognized that the transition into the university life could be both exciting and challenging, as new students often face academic pressures, social adjustment and personal uncertainties.
The Director said while faculty and formal structures provide guidance, there is unique value in peer-to-peer support advice and encouragement from those who have walked the same path.
Prof Hadiza thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their unwavering support towards the success of the programme.
Earlier in a remark, the Deputy Director, Counseling and Human Development Centre, Dr Haruna Muhammad, said the SSA programme was a timely and strategic initiative designed to strengthen peer support systems, enhance students’ well being and promote a culture of care, mentorship and shared responsibility among students.
Dr Haruna said the SSA aligns strongly with the current administration’s commitment under the leadership of Prof Adamu Ahmed to strengthening student services encouraging innovation in learning support and advancing a more responsive and globally competitive university system.
In a goodwill message, the Dean, Students Affairs Division, Prof Sahalu Junaidu, said the initiative was a collective commitment to student welfare, mentorship and leadership development.
Prof Sahalu noted that by empowering students to support one another, ABU is building a culture of care and responsibility that will strengthen the university community.
The Dean congratulated all the SSAs, saying that they are pioneers of a vision that places students at the centre of students welfare.
In another goodwill message, the Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof Maryam Aminu, commended the organisers for their foresight and commitment to students development.
Prof Maryam challenged the SSAs to rise to the responsibility entrusted to them.
The Dean advised them to reflect integrity in their actions, fairness in their decisions and their services reflect genuine concern for others.
Equally, the President, ABU Alumni Association Worldwide, Malam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, spoke at the occasion.
He said the alumni association created a platform, in collaboration with the university, supporting a clear framework for alumni engagement, one that transforms alumni from passive observers into active partners in student development and institutional growth.
Kontagora said the association and the university through the Directorate of Advancement and International Education developed six pillar framework for Alumni – student engagement.
The President congratulated the Counseling and Human Development Centre and prayed for the success of the programme.
The event was attended by Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, faculty career coaches, faculty orientation officers and students.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/AHW/PIC/TKU)
Thursday, 9th April, 2026
