TETFund team visits ABU Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has received a high-level monitoring team from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on a mission visit to the university’s Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy.
This is in reaffirmation of the Fund’s commitment to strengthening quality teaching and learning in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The delegation, which was led by former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, was received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bello Sabo.
Other members of the visiting team included Prof. Etannibi Alemika, Prof. Samuel Odeh Odu, and the TETFund representative, Hajiya Amina.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello congratulated ABU on successfully securing the Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy, describing the achievement as well deserved in view of the institution’s reputation for academic excellence and capacity building.
He explained that the visit formed part of TETFund’s routine monitoring and evaluation exercise for Centres of Excellence across beneficiary institutions.
According to him, the exercise was aimed at assessing progress, ensuring compliance with established operational frameworks, and determining performance outcomes tied to the release of subsequent funding tranches.
Prof Bello said the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) programme operates on performance-based benchmarks designed to ensure sustainability, relevance, and measurable impact in strengthening teaching quality and academic development.
He further commended ABU for its consistent record in successfully managing similar intervention projects and centres of excellence.
Yahuza Bello stressed that the university demonstrated strong institutional structures, accountability, and commitment to delivering expected outcomes.
The establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy in ABU was a strategic intervention that aligns with national priorities in improving teaching standards across disciplines, he said.
He also said the visit was to monitor the level of implementation, identify areas of strength, and provide guidance where necessary to ensure the centre achieves its mandate and continues to access intervention support based on performance.
Prof Etannibi Alemika, in his remarks, commended Ahmadu Bello University for preserving its distinctive academic character while consistently improving its physical and intellectual environment over the years.
He recalled his long-standing academic engagement with the institution, including supervising students and mentoring teaching staff.
The university’s serene learning atmosphere and well maintained structures, particularly facilities such as the University Library, according to him, served as strong motivational factors for both staff and students.
He said such an environment not only promotes scholarship and professionalism but also instills a sense of pride, dignity, and academic relevance among members of the university community.
Responding, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration,Prof. Bello Sabo, underscored the critical role of sound pedagogy in effective teaching and learning across all fields of study.
He emphasized that mastering appropriate teaching methodologies enhances knowledge delivery, improves student comprehension, and ultimately strengthens the overall quality of graduates produced by the institution.
“Once pedagogy is properly developed and applied, teaching becomes more effective, learning becomes more engaging, and students are better equipped to understand and apply knowledge,” he stated.
Prof Sabo expressed appreciation to TETFund for its sustained support to Nigerian universities, describing the monitoring visit as a demonstration of the Fund’s dedication to ensuring that intervention projects achieve their intended objectives.
He assured the delegation that the University Management would remain fully committed to providing the Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy with the support required for its success.
Sabo also said the anticipated outcomes of the centre would extend beyond Ahmadu Bello University to positively influence other tertiary institutions and contribute to national educational development.
Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof. Aliyu Sanusi Rafindadi; the Registrar, Mal. Rabiu Samaila; the Acting University Librarian, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Mohammed; and the representative of the Bursar, Mal. Ibrahim Salisu.
The Director of the Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy, Prof. Anafi, alongside his assistant, Prof. Eberemu Adrian, and members of the centre equally participated in the engagement.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/IDV&PIC/TKU)
Wednesday, 11th February, 2026
