By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo, anipr

On 31st December, 2024 Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi’s appointment was approved as the substantive Vice chancellor, University of Abuja by the university’s Governing board chaired by Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd) .It was approved during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.I congratulate the brand new Vice Chancellor of university of Abuja, because she has indeed overcome the campaign of calumny in the media against her. God is great.

It would be recalled that she was appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university when Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah completed his five -year tenure .Since then she has been working hard to sustain the standard of the university. Despite that the adversaries had been condemning her that she had no experience. I laughed, because this is a woman who has been Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, before her ascension to the position of the acting Vice Chancellor. Power belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He wants. To those who felt cold about her appointment, they should accept the verdict of the Almighty and work with her to succeed. If their concern is to make the university of Abuja better and stronger, then the only option is to support her with all sincerity. In togetherness the university will do well in the community of universities and educational services.

To the brand new Vice Chancellor , here is my advice:run an inclusive administrative system. Nobody is your foe, you only have some members of staff with different interests; the interests may not be permanent most especially if you are doing the right thing. Pay attention to the antics of sycophants. Show love to everyone, but never compromise the standard of the university. You are lucky, because you are loved by many as it is evidence in the jubilation that culminated the announcement of your appointment on the University campus.

Essentially, building on the legacies of your predecessor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, which centered on transformation, innovation and prudence would help you a great deal.May Allah guide you

Profile of the Substantive VC

Prior to her appointment as the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi served in an acting capacity from 5th July 2024. During this period, she worked closely with the Governing Council to stabilise the University through a challenging crisis, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment.

Born on 31st January 1983 in Katsin in
Finally, UniAbuja Appoints Law Professor, Aisha Maikudi the Substantive Vice Chancellor
Maikudi’s academic excellence took her to the University of Reading, where she earned an LLB in 2004. She further specialised in Public International Law, obtaining an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005. After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School (2006–2007), she pursued and had a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.

She joined the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II on 4th September 2008, and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2021.

Prof Maikudi broke barriers as the first female Head of Department in 2013, the first female Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law in 2018, and the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019. She also served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), where she was instrumental in enhancing academic standards and promoting a culture of excellence at the University.

An innovator in her field, she introduced the ‘United Nations Law’ course at the University of Abuja in 2019, backed by extensive research and numerous publications in academic journals and book chapters. She is also highly experienced in supervising theses and dissertations, contributing to the growth of legal scholarship.

Maikudi has represented her university and country at numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and training sessions across the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, Ghana, and Egypt. She has presented papers at many of these events, further solidifying her global reputation as an academic leader.

The new Vice-Chancellor is an active member of several professional organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Nigerian Society of International Law.

According to the Director, Information and University Relations,Dr Habib Yakoob “her tenure promises a new era of progress and transformation for the University of Abuja”

Congratulations!

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.comc

By Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi

KAYI Microfinance Bank is at the forefront of expanding digital financial services to underbanked communities in Northern Nigeria, particularly through its Grassroots Engagement and Empowerment Programme. By focusing on Tsangaya (Almajiri) schools, which traditionally provide Islamic education but often struggle financially, the bank offers a model that fuses financial literacy, technological tools, and community-based enterprise. This practical approach to financial inclusion aims to unlock the economic potential of marginalized populations while respecting local traditions and educational structures.
Central to this model is the provision of a five-million-naira grant package for each participating Tsangaya school. This funding covers the cost of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines and training in both financial literacy and business management. As a result, each school can establish and operate a cash point business, enabling nearby residents to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds without traveling long distances. By fostering these local “banking hubs,” the programme not only mitigates logistical barriers but also encourages a culture of savings and financial responsibility in areas previously overlooked by formal financial institutions.

KAYI Microfinance Bank’s strategy goes beyond hardware distribution. Its training modules equip school leaders, students, and administrators with critical skills in accounting, customer service, and entrepreneurial management. Over time, these Tsangaya schools transition into community-driven economic centers, helping their communities diversify income streams and reduce street begging. By integrating business principles into the educational framework, the programme cultivates an environment where students can learn practical finance skills alongside religious teachings, bridging the gap between education and enterprise.

Leadership at KAYI Microfinance Bank has played a key role in steering this initiative. Chaired by Alhaji Saadina Hamidu Dantata, the bank’s direction underscores a broader, institution-wide commitment to community development rather than mere profit-making. Government agencies and local policymakers also stand to bolster the programme’s reach by providing regulatory support, subsidies, or policy frameworks that encourage replication in additional locations. Such collaborations could accelerate the pace of financial inclusion and economic growth across the region.

Looking ahead, KAYI Microfinance Bank remains focused on refining its Grassroots Engagement and Empowerment Programme. The goal is to replicate and scale up the model, ensuring that more remote communities in Northern Nigeria can enjoy consistent access to financial services, training, and technology. With education and enterprise working hand in hand, the initiative highlights how inclusive financial strategies—rooted in local culture and community involvement—can fuel sustainable development for generations to come.

Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi writes from Kano and he can be reached via alhassanelkanawi@gmail.com

By Rabiu Alhasan Elkanawi

KAYI Microfinance Bank has unveiled a groundbreaking digital financial inclusion program focused on Tsangaya Schools (commonly known as Almajiri schools) in Northern Nigeria. This visionary initiative is designed to bridge the gap between underserved communities and the digital banking system, thereby fostering economic growth and societal development. By targeting these non-formal learning centers, the bank aims to uplift remote communities where many residents have long struggled to access essential financial services.
Northern Nigeria has traditionally faced significant hurdles in achieving comprehensive financial inclusion. Vast distances, poor banking infrastructure, and a lack of trust in formal financial institutions often discourage many people from engaging with banks. Recognizing these challenges, KAYI Microfinance Bank is piloting a model that trains and equips Tsangaya schools starting with four states—Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa—to serve as community champions for digital financial access.

Under this initiative, each participating Tsangaya school receives a robust package valued at five million Naira, comprising comprehensive business management and financial literacy training, POS device and startup funds. By bringing deposit, withdrawal, and fund transfer services closer to the grassroots, the program significantly reduces the physical distance many have to travel to conduct everyday transactions. This localized approach not only boosts trust in formal banking but also enhances local economies by circulating money within the community.

A hallmark of this program is its strong emphasis on education and empowerment. KAYI Microfinance Bank collaborates with malams (teachers and overseers of Tsangaya schools) and their students (almajirai) to ensure they acquire relevant skills in financial literacy, business management, and customer service. Rather than simply providing technology, the bank invests in the human capacity necessary to maintain and grow these new cash point businesses. Over time, Tsangaya schools become pivotal economic hubs in their neighborhoods, directly addressing issues such as street begging by offering pathways to self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

What sets KAYI’s effort apart from other financial inclusion drives is its clear focus on integrating community development with formal financial systems. By rooting its training programs in the cultural and educational fabric of Tsangaya schools, KAYI fosters a spirit of ownership among participants. Almajirai and malams, who once had limited exposure to modern banking, now find themselves operating as financial intermediaries. Their schools become not just places of learning, but also platforms for sustainable business ventures that transform their local communities.

The success of this laudable initiative, also relies on support from policymakers and government agencies. Government can amplify the program’s reach by providing subsidies and interventions through this grassroots program. This will help replicate and scale this model across other parts of Northern Nigeria.
KAYI Microfinance Bank’s approach offers a powerful template for bridging the gap between remote communities and the wider financial ecosystem. By merging technology, education, and cultural sensitivity, the bank is forging a pathway for inclusive economic participation, one that could reshape the socio-economic landscape of Northern Nigeria. Rural dwellers, who once had little or no access to formal banking, can now save money safely, receive funds without traveling long distances, and even invest in small enterprises.

As the project evolves, it promises to be a catalyst for reducing poverty, curtailing unemployment, and spurring local entrepreneurship. By presenting Tsangaya schools as models, KAYI is demonstrating that even the most marginalized communities can embrace innovative financial solutions when they are carefully tailored to their unique needs. This marks a new chapter for Northern Nigeria, where financial inclusion is no longer a distant aspiration but an attainable reality—one that holds the promise of a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi writes from Kano and he can be reached via alhassanelkanawi@gmail.com