The Governing Council of the University of Abuja has approved the appointment of Prof Aisha Sani Maikudi as the institution’s 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The decision was announced during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council, chaired by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, Rtd, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Maikudi’s tenure officially begins on January 1, 2025, and will span a non-renewable period of five years.
Her appointment was heralded by controversies over due process and protests by a section of the academic staff over certain criteria for the position.
But official communication from the school said, she emerged as the top candidate among 10 shortlisted individuals interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, following due process as outlined by the university’s governing regulations.
Maikudi has a distinguished career as a scholar and administrator.
Prior to her confirmation as Vice-Chancellor, she served in an acting capacity from July 5, 2024, during which she demonstrated exceptional leadership, stabilizing the institution during a period of crisis.
Born on January 31, 1983, in Katsina State, Maikudi has carved a niche as a professor of International Law at the University of Abuja.
Her academic journey began at Sacred Heart School, Kaduna, where she earned her First School Leaving Certificate in 1993, followed by her WASSCE from Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, in 1999.
She holds an LLB from the University of Reading, 2004, and an LLM in Public International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, 2005.
After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School, 2006–2007, she earned a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.
Since joining the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II in 2008, Professor Maikudi has consistently broken barriers.
She became 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.
Her rise to the position of professor in 2021 underscores her academic and professional excellence.
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, she played a key role in raising academic standards and fostering a culture of excellence.
Her contributions include introducing the “United Nations Law” course at the University of Abuja in 2019, which reflects her passion for innovation in legal education.
Maikudi has an extensive portfolio of research, publications, and mentorship, having supervised numerous theses and dissertations.
She is a frequent participant in national and international conferences, representing Nigeria and the University of Abuja in countries such as the UK, US, South Africa, and China.
An active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Nigerian Law Teachers Association, NLTA, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Maikudi embodies the ideals of scholarship and service.
Her appointment as Vice-Chancellor heralds a new chapter for the University of Abuja, as she brings her expertise, vision, and commitment to drive transformation and progress.
