The governing council of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), now Yakubu Gowon University, has appointed Alkasim Umar as the substantive registrar and Rose Mommoh as the substantive university librarian.
Habib Yakoob, UniAbuja’s acting director of information and university relations, said in a statement issued on Saturday that the appointments were approved at the council’s 101st meeting held on July 9 and 10 and took effect from July 9.
According to Yakoob, the governing council, chaired by Olanrewaju Tejuoso, pro-chancellor and chairman of the council, made the appointment under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act and the university’s regulations, noting that both appointees will serve a single five-year term.
Congratulating the new principal officers, Hakeem Fawehinmi, vice-chancellor of the university, expressed confidence in their ability to strengthen the institution’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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Umar holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Maiduguri and has professional certifications from the Digital Bridge Institute and Souters, UK.
He began his career at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, before joining the University of Abuja registry, where he has served for 17 years in various capacities, including the academic affairs division, establishment division, TETFund desk office, and as faculty officer for the faculties of education and agriculture.
Before his appointment, Umar served for eight years as deputy registrar, most recently heading the Institute of Education, where he supervised administrative and registry operations.
He has also served on several university committees and represented the institution at international events, including the International University Exhibition in Nairobi, the Wageningen Innovation Challenge in the Netherlands, and the International Association of Universities conference in Tokyo in 2024.
Mommoh holds a bachelor’s degree in library science from the University of Maiduguri, a master’s degree in library science from Bayero University, Kano, and a PhD in information science from the University of Maiduguri.
She joined the University of Abuja in 1999 as a graduate librarian and rose through the ranks to become deputy university librarian and associate professor in 2020.
With more than 25 years of experience, she has held several leadership 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.
Mommoh has published extensively in library and information science and has presented papers at local and international conferences, including in China and Poland. She is a member of the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria and the Nigerian Library Association.
