‘Why ABU instituted reward and recognition system’
The decision by the Management of Ahmadu Bello University to institute a reward and recognition system was to motivate and inspire staff towards higher performance, to spur healthy competition among staff members as well as to enhance staff retention.
This was disclosed by Chairman of ABU Staff Reward and Recognition System Committee Prof Sani A Abdullahi at the 2025 staff reward and recognition ceremony held at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, ABU, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria on Thursday, 14th May, 2026.
In an address of welcome, Prof Abdullahi said the system was established in 2023 on realisation that staff reward and recognition became a global best practice and an integral part of HR policy of great institutions.
He also stated that the system was instituted in the belief that it is the backbone of employee motivation and a necessary catalyst for boosting staff morale, job commitment, productivity, and satisfaction.
Prof Abdullahi further said it was founded on account that a dynamic staff reward and recognition system was not only an imperative but also an inseparable part of great workplaces.
He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor most sincerely for not only sustaining the system upon assuming office but also for further strengthening it by changing the status of the committee from ad hoc to a standing committee.
“This is not only a welcome development but also inspiring and therefore quite commendable”, he said.
On the 2025 staff reward and recognition, he was of the belief that the year 2025 was quite eventful and successful for the university, as it recorded significant milestones both nationally and internationally.
He attributed the successes and achievements to the leadership and the entire workforce of the university.
Prof Abdullahi also pointed out that there were specific individual staff, committees, and units of the university whose contributions were quite outstanding and deserving of special recognition and reward.
He said the ceremony was to honour over 140 individual staff, one university committee, one faculty deanery, one research group, three service delivery units, and eight alumni under 27 categories of awards.
The chairman congratulated all the awards recipients for distinguishing themselves in the service of the university through their various callings.
He also expressed gratitude to the university administration for providing the enabling environment under which those honoured worked and excelled.
Abdullahi thanked the Vice-Chancellor, University Management, and all others for their cooperation and support towards the success of the committee.
Members of the committee are Prof M I Umar-Buratai, Directorate of Advancement and International Education; and Prof H I Bayero, Faculty of Education.
Others include Prof Nafiu Abdu, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR); Barrister Hadiza Kabir Aliyu, Bursary; Auwalu Umar, Public Affairs Directorate; and Malam Musa Ahmadu, Registry, who serves as Secretary.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria (NEWS/NAM/SGB&PIC/TKU)
Friday, 15th May, 2026.
