THE GOVERNING Council of the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, chaired by Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has approved the appointment of Mr Alkasim Umar and Dr Rose Mommoh as substantive registrar and librarian respectively.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, on Saturday in Abuja.
Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as University of Abuja, was renamed on December 16, 2024 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to honour former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
Yakoob said that the appointments which took effect from July 9, were approved during the Governing Council’s meeting.
He said the appointment was for a single term of five years in accordance with the relevant provisions of the universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act and the University’s governing regulations.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, while congratulating the appointees, expressed confidence in their abilities to provide the leadership and professional expertise needed to strengthen the university’s administration and library system.
“The wealth of experience that these two appointees bring will further strengthen our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research, innovation and community service.
“Their appointments come at a critical time in our journey as we continue to reposition the University of Abuja as a globally competitive institution.
“I look forward to working closely with them as we realise the strategic vision of our great university and take the institution to even greater heights,” he said.
Umar holds a B.Sc. and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Maiduguri, as well as professional certifications from the Digital Bridge Institute and Souters, UK.
He began his career with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, where he served as Liaison Officer in Abuja from 1999 to 2002 before moving into junior establishment duties.
He later joined the Registry of the UniAbuja, where he has served for the past 17 years in several divisions, including the Academic Affairs Division, the Establishment Division and the TETFund Desk Office.
He also served as Faculty Officer for the Faculties of Education and Agriculture.
Before his appointment, Umar served as Deputy Registrar for eight years, most recently heading the Institute of Education, UniAbuja.
On the other hand, Mommoh holds a Bachelor of Library Science degree from the University of Maiduguri, a Master of Library Science degree from Bayero University, Kano, and a PhD in Information Science from the University of Maiduguri.
She joined UniAbuja in 1999 as a Graduate Librarian and rose steadily through the ranks, becoming Deputy University Librarian and Associate Professor in 2020.
With more than 25 years of experience in university librarianship, she has developed expertise in library administration, collection development, digital library services, research support, and strategic information management.
The new University Librarian has served in several key positions within the University Library, including Head of the Circulation Unit, Collection Development, and Readers’ Services at the Engineering Library.
Until her appointment, she served as Postgraduate Coordinator in the Department of Library and Information Science.
She is a registered member of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria and the Nigerian Library Association. (NAN)
