Prof Umar-Buratai-led C’ttee proposes restructuring of ABU Advancement Directorate
. In addition to recommending proper closure of MacArthur and Carnegie projects
The Committee on Strengthening the Directorate of Advancement and International Education (DAIE), Ahmadu Bello University, has submitted its report to the management.
The committee was inaugurated on 17th July, 2025 to address persistent structural and operational challenges affecting the directorate and to reposition it in line with global best practices.
The committee, chaired by Prof M I Umar-Buratai of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, submitted the report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, on Thursday, 25th September, 2025.
It proposed a restructured model where advancement would be the central directorate with international education as a supporting component, thereby ensuring strategic clarity, stronger fundraising focus and alignment with global standards.
Presenting the report, Prof Buratai explained that the committee reviewed historical reports, notably CASE 2009 and 2010.
He said it also assessed implementation of donor-funded interventions (MacArthur and Carnegie), engaged stakeholders and developed strategies, organograms and workplans for an effective advancement structure.
According to him, the committee findings revealed that the directorate suffered from incoherence, poor record keeping, inadequate staffing, fragile ICT systems and weak alumni and donor relations.
He also said frequent replacement of directors, absence of a clear career path and inadequate professionalism further undermined its institutional capacity.
To correct all these, the committee recommended for the professionalism and autonomy of the directorate, recruitment and training of skilled staff, and upgrading ICT and CRM systems.
Other recommendations, according to him, included institutionalising monitoring and evaluation, as well as launching sustainable alumni, donor and endowment programmes.
The committee further developed a detailed five-year workplan (2025 – 2029) for the directorate with measurable KPIs across all units.
It stressed the need for proper closure of MacArthur and Carnegie projects, transparent financial management, and embedding sustainability into all donor interventions.
Prof Buratai said the proposed reforms should provide the university with a blueprint for transforming advancement into a credible engine for resource mobilisation, alumni loyalty, global visibility and long term institutional growth.
Receiving the report, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, was excited about the committee findings and recommendations.
Prof Ahmed also said he was glad that the committee highlighted the major challenges faced by the directorate in the report with a view to tackling them.
The Vice-Chancellor, who said the university would carefully study the report for appropriate action, explained that the future of ABU depended largely on resource mobilisation.
Ahmed thanked the chairman and members of the committee for a thorough job, saying the directorate needed to be overhauled in the best interest of the university.
Members of the committee included Prof Shuaibu Aliyu Shehu, Department of History; Prof Balarabe M. Jahun, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Prof Tonie Okpe, Department of Fine Arts.
They also included Prof M K Isah, Department of Local Government and Development Studies; and Dr. Muhammad Hashim Suleiman, Department of Mass Communication.
Others were Engr. Salisu Gaya, Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IAIICT); and Malam Hamza Sani, Registry Department, who served as secretary.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (AIA)
Friday, 26th September, 2025
