By Felix Khanoba
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), chaired by Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has ratified the appointment of Professor Rosemary Udeozor and Professor Muhammad Umar Ndagi as Deputy Vice-Chancellors for Academic and Administration respectively.
Udeozor is from the Department of Educational Management, while Ndagi is from the Department of Arabic.
A statement signed by Acting Director, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob , on Sunday, said the appointments were ratified at the 82nd Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on Friday 13 February 2026 on the Main Campus.
The two senior academics had earlier been returned unopposed for the positions at the 93rd Extraordinary Meeting of the Senate on Wednesday 11 February 2026, following the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi.
According to the statement, the appointments, effective from 13 February 2026, are for a period of two years in accordance with the University’s extant laws.
In their acceptance speeches, Professors Udeozor and Ndagi pledged to support the strategic direction of University management and work closely with the Vice-Chancellor to ensure a harmonious and productive academic environment.
Professor Rosemary Kanene Udeozor is a professor of Educational Administration and Planning in the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education. She holds a BA Ed (1986), MEd (1988), and PhD (1995) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She joined the University of Abuja in 1995 and became a professor in 2009.
Udeozor has held several leadership positions within the University, including director of the General Studies Unit, Deputy Director of the Centre for Distance Learning, and Postgraduate Programme coordinator.
She is actively involved in community development projects and professional associations, including the Nigerian Academy of Education and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Planning.
Professor Muhammad Umar Ndagi is a professor of Arabic linguistics in the Department of Arabic. He holds a BEd in Islamic Studies and a PhD in Arabic from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree from the International Institute for Arabic Language, Khartoum, Sudan.
With over 45 years in teaching and more than two decades of administrative experience, Ndagi has held leadership positions including dean of Arts, deputy dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, and chairman of multiple University committees. He is a Fellow of Arabic Studies in Nigeria and has contributed extensively to academic publications and policy initiatives in language and education.
In another development, the Governing Council has also approved the extension of the appointment of Mal Sambo Mohammed as Acting Registrar of the University.
The decision was taken at the 81st Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 5 February 2026 on the Main Campus.
Sambo was initially appointed acting registrar on 11 November 2025 for a three-month term, which expired on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
He will now continue to serve in this capacity pending the conclusion of the process for the appointment of a substantive registrar by the Council.
