The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Professor Muhammad Khalil Othman, on Thursday presented his scorecard and outlined his vision for the future growth of the university.
Prof. Othman made the presentation during the 14th Regular Congressional Meeting of the University, a platform to brief members of staff on security, infrastructure, academic accreditation, staff welfare, transportation and students accommodation.
This is the first congregation meeting chaired by Prof. Othman since his appointment as Vice-Chancellor in November 2025.
He commended members of staff for their resilience and dedication to work assuring them that the management will continue to give priority to their welfare and security.
According to him, upon assumption into office, he met several issues on ground which mostly have to do with unpaid contractors, study centers, employed staff with appointment letters but not yet properly engaged, office and faculty infrastructure deficit, with the University Main campus deserted and under-utilized amongst others.
He said that other teething challenges included insecurity, relocation to the main campus, and vandalization of University property.
The Vice-Chancellor said, however, that he had taken urgent steps to address these concerns and improve the university’s operational environment for effective teaching and learning, as well as research.
He said said security personnel have been deployed to the main campus, which facilitated the ongoing relocation of faculties.
According to him, the target is to ensure the adequate utilisation of the facilities at the Main campus, as water, power and Internet services have been restored.
On transportation, Prof Othman said two buses now shuttle staff from Katsina to Dutsin-Ma, and the management has introduced free ride to the main campus from the temporary site for both staff and students.
The Vice-Chancellor said since his assumption of office about a year ago, more than 31 academic programmes had undergone accreditation processes, with 19 getting full accreditation.
He said the University would continue to pursue academic excellence and strengthen the quality of teaching and learning.
Prof Othman announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) had earmarked over ₦1 billion for the construction of student hostels, a development expected to support efforts to improve accommodation facilities on campus.
”The university plans to house close to 5,000 students by year ending at the Main campus,” he added.
“I will not tolerate indiscipline and wrongdoings by staff and students,’’ he said, warning that anyone caught involved in wrongdoing will not be spared.
Prof. Othman said the university will in the coming days, engage in intensive community services, explaining that neighbouring communities will benefit from interventions on agriculture, and education.
“We shall impact on their well-being and support them with the needed impetus to benefit from being host or neighbours of the university,” he said.
He announced that the Emirs of Katsina, Daura, Kana and Maradin in Niger Republic have indicate interest to graced the forthcoming Alan Waka/FUDMAInternational Conference on Literary Works, to be held on November 11.
Question were asked and answers given just as suggestions were equally proffered by members of staff to advance the frontiers of the university.
The congregation meeting is an important platform for accountability, engagement and the appraisal of the progress made and challenges, as well as a commitment to joint efforts to address existing challenges and advance academic activities and enhance infrastructural developmen in the institution.
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