*By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo*
The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah is an excellent administrator going by his track record from his days as the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University,Malete.You may decide to refer to him as a professor but I will call him an astute administrator with uncommon prudence and transformational leadership.
Personally,I have never heard of his name in any quarters before since I’m not working in an ivory tower either locally or internationally.But his appointment as the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Kwara state university, by Bukola Saraki’s administration brought him to lime light.Before I will extensively discuss his achievements,I think it will be appropriate I venture into his life’s sojourn a bit.
Professor Na’Allah was born 1962.He started his early education at the Demonstration 1 Primary School, Sokoto,where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1976 and Government Teachers’ College,Birnin Yauri,for his Teachers’Grade II Certificate in 1981.He had his Bachelor of Arts(Hons) English and Education from University of Ilorin in 1988 and MA Literature in English in 1992 from the same institution.He received his Ph.D in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta,Edmonton,
Canada.He was Professor and Chair of African -American Studies at Western Illinois University.
Interestingly, Kwara State University today is on the right pedestal because of the monumental foundation put in place by Professor Na’Allah.You cannot discuss progress of that Ivory tower without making a reference to Na’allah’s astute administrative skills and inputs.The Ilorin born Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja is not only a professor but also an embodiment of leadership quality and excellence.
As a distinguished Scholar, Professor Na’Allah is the Author of over 25 books and chapters in books,and several scholarly works.He is a reviewer for several national and international journals; and has published in reputable peer -reviewed journals as well as supervised several Ph.D candidates.A well -travelled academic,he has attended over 50 conference within the country and abroad.
He became a fellow of the literary Society of Nigeria in 2014 and that of Nigeria Academy of Letters in 2019.He is also a member of ten different Learned Societies/Professional Bodies such as the Canadian Comparative Literature Association; African Studies Association; International Comparative Literature Association;and the Association of Nigerian Authors.
More importantly, Na’Allah has won several awards including Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2020 award by Stardom Global Television (STGV) and Most Outstanding Vice Chancellor 2021 award by Elites Exclusive Magazine.
He has rendered numerous services to Local, national and international communities including as the Team Leader,Local Team for for Kwara State Agricultural Mechanization Master Plan Committee,Kwara State Government, April to June,2012;Chief Organizer, Literature in Northern Nigeria,2010 till date;Convener,34th African Literature Association Annual Conference,at WIU,USA, April 22-27,2008; and as Member, Local Arrangement Committee,51st African Studies Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois,USA, November 13 to 16 ,2008.
*How he has transformed UofA*.
Na’Allah became the Sixth substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja on 1st July,2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.His appointment was approved by the Governing Council, University of Abuja at its 53rd Extra -Ordinary Meeting held on Friday 28th June on the Main Campus.
*Academic Development* is a prominent aspect of University administration as it assists to usher in enabling environment and ehance academic excellence . Despite the distruption of the system by the outbreak of COVID-19 he ensured that the sanctity of the academic calendar was maintained.Within the first two years in office about 15 programmes of the University were accredited under Na’Allah ‘s administration.
He introduced new General Studies (GST) courses to improve students’ entrepreneurial background, business and innovative capacities;and encourage mentoring of students by successful global entrepreneurs, and develop business plans/ideas and registration of such potential companies/businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission before graduation.This is in order because in Nigeria of today and any where in the world Government cannot employ all citizens.The major responsibility of the government is to create an enabling environment for private businesses to flourish so that they can employ as many as possible.In the 21st Century entrepreneurship is the real deal and Professor Na’Allah understands this.
About 21 New Centres have been created and 2 New Departments also from Faculty of Law.
*Research Development*
The University is a centre of research and any such institution worths its versatility must provide enabling environment for research projects.Between 2019 and 2021 , several research grants worth over 500 million Naira had come into the university through the doggedness of some academic staff .In the last couple of years, research has had a very big boost especially through the Centre for sponsored Projects,headed by *Professor Eunice Obiagelli Nnodu*, which was set up by the Vice Chancellor for enhancement of research opportunities.
*Infrastructural Development*
There has been infrastructural Development especially on the Main Campus of University of Abuja.These works have been approved by the administration of Na’Allah and carried out with due diligence and in in compliance with ethical and best practices.Some projects have been completed, while some are still ongoing or nearing completion.The following Projects have been completed:
Academic Office Building, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
500 Capacity Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences Building Phase 1
Faculty of Arts Building Phase II
250 Capacity Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Agriculture
Provision of Sporting Facilities: Basket ball, Volley ball and practice pitch
Two numbers of Twin Lecture Halls
Feed Mill for faculty of Agriculture
Partitioning/ furnishing and provision of studio for CDL and CE.
Construction of Security Fence at the Main Campus is 75 percent completion and many others that are still under construction.
A staff of the University who craved for anonymity said the Vice Chancellor has done creditably well in terms of infrastructure.He said, ” on your way coming into the campus you can see a lot of projects completed and some still ongoing ; that is a testament that Na’Allah is doing well”
*Capacity Building*
Professor Na’Allah’s administration has created an enabling environment for employees to acquire more strategic knowledge, develop the right thinking capacity and their level of competency so that they can contribute effectively to the development of the University.Hence several trainings have taken place across several units,centres etc.
He also created a healthy and safe learning campus environment, promoted well-being in the school community,as well as students’ welfare thus enhancing students’ learning and a balanced development of their lives in general.Several in-house trainings,anchored by ITMS for students in several areas of endeavours.
In 2020 the first Student Leadership Conference (maiden edition) was organised by the Students Affairs Division which drew participants from various tertiary institutions across the country.
No fewer than 37 students of UofA have been awarded scholarship by the federal government to help in paying their school fees.Though this is by the federal government,it was made possible through the enabling atmosphere created by the Na’Allah’s administration.
It is imperative to say that eight students of University of Abuja received a grant of 2.2 million Naira to undertake research in their various fields of study.Awarded through the Centre for Undergraduate Research,headed by *Dr Taibat Atoyebi*.
To corroborate this feat,here is what Director,Institute of Education University of Abuja, *Professor Hauwa Imam* said about the Vice Chancellor,” Na’Allah is a firm believer in the postive effects of manpower development that he has instituted several capacity building-programmes and organised workshops for the re-orientation and training of staff.Staff are now using digital technologies,teach in a virtual space (such as zoom and google meeting), upload examination results online;and opportunities avail for virtual attendance of meetings and active participation online, etc.
He is dedicated to the promotion of scholarship through the creation of a conducive environment for effective teaching -learning,excellence in research and making an impact through community service
One more thing about Na ‘Allah is that he is driven by high performance such that he is impatient with slow actions,delayed results,and sloppy output.When he assigns one a responsibility,he demands perfection.For this reason,it is felt in some quarters that he micro-manages people.He has raised the bar in standards of operations in the university.
Additionally,he is extremely prudent with operational resources and takes fiscal responsibility seriously.He often times strikes a balance between requirements and meeting basic needs”.
Admission process of candidates under Na’Allah’s administration into the university is most transparent.It is a shift from pre-2019 where there were admission racketeering but today the process has significantly changed for better.The admission process is now reflecting the cosmopolitan status of the University of Abuja as the University for National Unity.In terms of hostel accommodation for students the Vice-Chancellor has also stopped the practice of racketeering as transparent hostel allocation has been introduced.
*Community Relations*
It is significant to say that Under Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah’s administration the hitherto frosty relationship between the university and communities has been improved upon through setting up of the Centre for Community Development, headed by Dr Sunday Dada.The Centre was created as a channel for the university to contribute her quota in the development of the host community as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, there by helping to provide supports to the rural communities in the areas of health, education,water supply, infrastructural development,in collaboration with multinational organizations,Non Governmental Organizations, Philanthropists and others who are interested in the community development.
Here is what *Professor E.S Garba*, the provost College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja said about Professor Na’Allah in the University publication, when the Vice-Chancellor marked two years in office: “I’m highly delighted to witness these giant strides in developments,a testimony of his transformation agenda.I believe before the end of his tenure;he would have transformed the University into a citadel of learning which can compete favourably with others in the world.
According to Anthony Robbins,”there is no greatness without a passion to be great”. Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is ” driven by passion, commitment to excellence and intelligent planning which constitute vital factors to genuine success.Leaving a positive legacy is the outcome of excellent leadership.Such leadership finishes well”.He concluded.
In the same vein,The Head Of Department of Library and information science UofA , *Professor AbdulGaniy Okanla Ahmed* captured Na’Allah’s leadership dexterity thus: “Professor Na’Allah has catalogue of experience which has made leadership quality to manifest in him. without any doubt he can relate with any set of people in a way to achieve administrative excellence”
He can also be described as a workaholic Vice Chancellor,this could be deduced from the account of him by the Head of Department, Tourism and Hospitality, UofA, *Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Babagbale* -FIH.She said:
“Our VC, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, is a well cultured man with integrity and great foresight. I describe him as a cultured man because he condescends to people’s level and deals with all as individuals without looking down on any. I was first privileged to meet him in 2012 during the one- on- one interview that got me a lecturing job at the Kwara State University. Professor Naallah is a go-getter who does not compromise quality. His fair judgement and recognition for hard work brought me to the University of Abuja 9 months ago. Within this period, the University has expanded with additional 26 new departments which successfully passed Verification exercise of the National Universities Commission in August this year; one of which is my department, Tourism and Hospitality Management. However, more are still coming on stream, such as the Entrepreneurship department. At the moment, Accreditation program is ongoing with 24 various departments. His achievements were possible as the University environment continuously enjoys peace and tranquillity. Our VC collaborates amicably by operating open door policy with both the staff and students. He can be reached any time of the day. Whether you are a student or lecturer, if he receives your email even at midnight, he responds to it before daybreak. He deals diligently with everyone with passion, no matter how difficult the situation is. His welfare support to the staff is worthy of note. As an indigent student in the UK, I received financial support from my University through study- work support programme, our VC has introduced same to Uniabuja and we can see smiles on the faces of these students as they go round to render services to the departments they are working for during their free periods. This helps students to learn and appreciate that there is dignity in labour”
The plausible thing about Professor Na’Allah’s giant strides in University of Abuja is his ability to attract development despite paucity of funds.It is not an exaggeration if one recommends the Ilorin born professor for greater responsibility in future, because of his prudent style of leadership.
It is equally important to say that this piece of mine didn’t capture everything Na’Allah has done to change the fortune of UofA to a new height.Meaning there are other numerous positive things not mentioned here.
Nobody can talk about ability to get things done pragmatically without making reference to knowledge and integrity.This is the combination of what the Almighty has blessed Professor Na’Allah with,hence is making a difference as an academic and administrator.
By way of conclusion, Na’Allah’s leadership trajectory is not a coincidence but as a result of hard work, pragmatism, prudence and tenacity.I pray to Allah to guide, guard, and protect him in his endeavour.
