Prof. Mathew Adamu has been appointed as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (formerly Yakubu Gowon University) by the federal government. Adamu succeeds Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, who was appointed in February 2025 for a six-month term in an interim capacity, according to a statement released by Mrs. Roseline Adakayi, the interim Registrar and Secretary to Council.
He will serve for three months, effective Monday, 11 August 2025.
"Adamu succeeds Professor Patricia Manko Lar, who was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month tenure," the announcement says in part. Under her direction, Professor Lar established academic and administrative stability, led with purpose, and, working with the appropriate university departments, successfully started the hiring process for a substantive vice chancellor.
By statutory regulations and norms, Adakayi stated that the new Acting Vice-Chancellor will assist the Governing Council, which is headed by Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, in completing the current process for selecting a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
She sent a "sincere gratitude to Professor Lar for her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence and institutional progress, and dedicated service."
According to the announcement, Professor Adamu "steers the University forward during this transition period," and the Acting Registrar wished him a prosperous tenure.