The management of Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS) has reaffirmed its commitment to institutional excellence by organising a one-day capacity-building workshop for senior academic and administrative staff to enhance efficiency, professionalism and service delivery.
The workshop, held on Wednesday under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza, brought together Deans, Heads of Departments, Directors, Faculty Officers, Examination Officers and senior Registry staff as part of efforts to strengthen governance, improve administrative processes and foster collaboration.
Delivering the keynote address, former Vice Chancellor and university administrator, Prof. Aminu Salihu Mikailu, stressed that institutional excellence depends on teamwork, strategic planning and continuous staff development.
“A university grows when every unit understands its responsibilities and works towards a common institutional goal. Academic staff and administrative personnel are partners in progress. One cannot function effectively without the support of the other,” he said.
He added, “Buildings alone do not make a university great. It is the quality, commitment and competence of its personnel that determine whether an institution will attain national and international recognition. Continuous staff development is therefore not a luxury but a necessity,” while promising to contribute to the university’s development.
Prof. Mikailu also highlighted the operational differences between private and public universities, noting that private institutions enjoy greater administrative flexibility.
“A private university has the advantage of speed in decision-making. Where there is a need to review an internal policy or introduce reforms, the Vice Chancellor can consult the Proprietor or governing authorities and take appropriate action within a relatively short period.”
He contrasted this with public universities, saying: “For a public university, certain decisions are tied to statutory provisions. The Vice Chancellor must follow due process, which may involve the Governing Council, the Visitor, the supervising ministry and, where legislation is involved, even the National Assembly. That process is naturally more rigorous and time-consuming.”
He also disclosed that he accepted the invitation to mentor NWUS staff as his contribution to the educational vision of the Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, having previously been unable to accept an offer to serve as Vice Chancellor of Sokoto State University due to health challenges.
In his remarks, Prof. Bunza said the workshop, which will become a monthly programme, is aimed at strengthening the university’s institutional capacity and equipping senior officers with the skills needed for effective service delivery.
“The strength of every university lies in the teamwork and competence of its workforce. When our staff continue to acquire new knowledge and improve their skills, the institution becomes stronger, more innovative and more competitive.”
He added: “We cannot continue to do things the old way and expect different results. We must constantly update our knowledge, improve our administrative processes and strengthen collaboration among all units if we are to achieve our vision of becoming a centre of academic excellence.”
The Vice Chancellor also expressed appreciation to Senator Wamakko for his commitment to the university’s growth, describing him as a visionary leader whose support has accelerated the institution’s development.
In his vote of thanks, the Registrar, Umar Garba Garunbabba, thanked the Founder for approving the monthly training and commended the Vice Chancellor for its prompt implementation.
According to him, “The University management and staff, especially the Registry staff, will benefit more from the training, because the majority of the staff have never worked in the University system. We thank the Founder, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for approving the training, which will take place every month. We also commend the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza, for implementing the approval without delay.”
