UniAbuja appoints 41-year-old Prof. Maikudi as acting VC

The Senate of the University of Abuja has selected Prof. Aisha Maikudi, a distinguished legal expert and the institution’s youngest law professor, to assume the role of acting vice-chancellor.

Maikudi, an accomplished scholar of international law, serves as the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Following Maikudi’s nomination at the farewell Senate meeting on Wednesday, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, announced her appointment in a statement.

Na’Allah noted that Maikudi’s appointment was in a temporary capacity, effective after the tenure of the current vice chancellor and pending ratification by the Governing Council.

Na’Allah rounds off his tenure on June 30, 2024, after five years of leadership at the institution.

Maikudi expressed her gratitude to the Senate members for entrusting her with this significant responsibility in her acceptance speech.

She said: “I want to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to you all for the strong support and unwavering commitment that you have accorded me.”

Maikudi, born on January 31, 1983, began her academic journey at Queens College, Lagos, where she earned her West African Senior School Certificate.

She then pursued higher education at the University of Reading, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2004, followed by a Master of Laws (LLM) from the London School of Economics & Political Science in 2005.

She further advanced her studies, receiving a Ph.D. in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.

Maikudi began her academic career at the University of Abuja on September 4, 2008, as a Lecturer II, and through dedication and hard work, she ascended the ranks to become a full professor in 2022.

Her leadership journey began in 2018 when she made history as the first female Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, followed by her appointment as the inaugural Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019, a position she held with distinction.

Prof. Maikudi has an impressive record of academic engagement, having attended numerous conferences and seminars in various countries, including the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, and Egypt.

Her research expertise lies in United Nations law, and she has authored several publications on this topic.

Additionally, she is an active member of various professional organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Law Teachers Association, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, demonstrating her commitment to the legal community.