Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU)

 
##Introduction
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly known as Kogi State University (KSU), is a renowned institution of higher learning located in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Established in 1999, the university has grown into a center of academic excellence, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple disciplines. PAAU is committed to providing quality education, fostering research, and producing graduates equipped to contribute to national and global development.

This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of the university’s history, its transformation over the years, and its current leadership under the present Vice-Chancellor.

##General Information
Prince Abubakar Audu University: Overview and Background

General Information

Institution Name: Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU)

Previous Name: Kogi State University (KSU)

Motto: Knowledge for Self-Reliance

Institution Type: Public University

Year of Establishment: 1999

Governing Head: Vice-Chancellor

Council Chairman: Professor Adam O. Ahmed

Current Vice-Chancellor: Professor Marietu Tenuche

Academic Workforce: 10 Staff Members

Student Population: 50,000

Undergraduate Enrollment: 43,000

Postgraduate Enrollment: 6,570

Doctoral Candidates: 330

Location: Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Official Website: www.ksu.edu.ng


##History and Evolution
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly called Kogi State University, is a public higher institution situated in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1999 under the leadership of then-Governor Prince Abubakar Audu, who initiated its establishment to expand access to tertiary education in the state.

Initially operating under the name Kogi State University (KSU), the institution underwent a series of renaming. In 2003, the then-Governor Ibrahim Idris officially designated it as Kogi State University, reverting from its initial title. However, in 2020, under the administration of Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the institution was renamed Prince Abubakar Audu University in honor of its founder, the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

##Leadership Over the Years
Since its establishment, the university has been led by distinguished scholars from various fields.

Professor S.K. Okwute (2000–2005): A professor of chemistry and the university’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor.

Professor F.S. Idachaba (2005–2008): An expert in agricultural economics who later devoted his time to the F.S. Idachaba Foundation for Research and Scholarship before his passing.

Professor I. Isah (2008): A chemical pathology professor from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who assumed office in October 2008.

Professor Mohammed Abdulkadir: Took over leadership from Ado Bayero University.

Professor Marietu Tenuche: The current Vice-Chancellor, leading the institution toward academic excellence and infrastructural development.


##Industrial Dispute and ASUU Proscription
In 2017, Prince Abubakar Audu University’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) found itself in a prolonged conflict with the Kogi State Government over unpaid salaries, leading to an extended strike.

The state government accused the lecturers of politicizing the situation and issued an ultimatum for them to return to work. When the lecturers refused to comply, Governor Yahaya Bello, who also serves as the university's Visitor, declared ASUU proscribed within the institution, effectively withdrawing it from the national body.

This decision sparked widespread reactions across the education sector, as it was one of the rare instances where a state government directly banned a university’s participation in the national ASUU network.

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##Renaming to Prince Abubakar Audu University
In 2020, the Kogi State Government renamed the institution to Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) in honor of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the founding governor of Kogi State and the visionary behind the university’s establishment. The renaming was a recognition of his contributions to education and governance in Kogi State.

##Academic Structure and Programs
PAAU offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs through various faculties. Some of the major faculties include:

Faculty of Agriculture

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Management Sciences

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Faculty of Social Sciences

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences


The university is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and continues to expand its academic offerings to meet contemporary educational and industry demands.

##Present Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University
As of 2024, the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University is Prof. Marietu Tenuche. The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for the overall administration of the university, ensuring that academic and administrative policies align with the institution’s vision and mission.

Under the leadership of the current Vice-Chancellor, PAAU has continued to experience progress in various areas, including:

Improvement in academic programs and accreditation status

Enhancement of research and innovation initiatives

Development of infrastructure and facilities

Strengthening of partnerships with local and international institutions

Promotion of student welfare and extracurricular activities


The leadership of the Vice-Chancellor is crucial in driving the university’s agenda toward achieving excellence in education, research, and community service.