From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, located in Kaduna State.
This announcement was made through a press release by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
This move marks a major step in the leadership structure of the institution, which was previously known as Nok University before being taken over by the federal government.
Alongside Kukah’s appointment, President Tinubu also named key principal officers for the university. Qurix Barnabas will serve as Vice Chancellor, while Sanusi Adamu takes on the role of Registrar. Ibrahim Dalhat has been appointed as Bursar, and Prof. Daniel Abubakar will lead as University Librarian.
The Governing Council will also include representatives from various regions across Nigeria. Mr. Thomas Etuh will represent the North Central, Fabian Nwaora will represent the South East, Femi Taiwo will represent the South West, and Zarah Bukar will represent the North East.
According to the President, these appointments were made based on the distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria of the selected individuals.
President Tinubu urged the new leadership to utilize their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal University of Applied Sciences is set to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025, marking a significant milestone in its development.
President Tinubu called on the newly appointed officers to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth.