Four Nigerian Professors Appointed to Lead Gambian University – NTAC
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has announced the appointment of four Nigerian professors to key leadership positions at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in The Gambia.
Dr. Yusuf Yakub, Director-General (D-G) of NTAC, made this known in Abuja on Saturday during a visit by Prof. Gomez Pierre, The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology.
Yakub revealed that the selection of the professors stemmed from their outstanding performance as Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers. This led to a task force, formed by The Gambian ministry’s Governing Council, recommending their appointment.
The D-G explained that the task force’s report validated the expertise of the TAC volunteers and proposed their placement in key positions to ensure the effective administration of USET.
“The report from the task force requested the Nigerian government’s endorsement for these appointments,” Yakub stated. He added that an official letter, addressed to the Nigerian Mission in Kanifing and copied to the NTAC D-G, was received on Friday.
The four Nigerian professors were selected to assume roles following the upcoming end of tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Owusu-Ofori, whose term concludes on September 30.
The appointed professors are:
Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde – Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Yusuf Abdulfatah – Vice-Chancellor (Academics)
Prof. Akinlabi Oyetunji – Director, Research and Grants
Prof. David Gundu – Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance
Dr. Yakub highlighted that the deployment of these volunteers was part of Nigeria’s 24-month TAC scheme, aimed at providing technical assistance to The Gambia.
“This move signifies the strong educational and technical cooperation between Nigeria and The Gambia,” Yakub noted. He emphasized The Gambia’s long-standing participation in the TAC Scheme, having received over 12,000 Nigerian volunteers since 1987, including professionals in engineering, law, and medicine.
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