UNIABUJA Approves Promotion of 218 Staff, Elevates 30 to Professorial Cadre

The University of Abuja has approved the promotion of 218 staff members, including 30 academics elevated to professorial ranks, following a merit-based promotion exercise ratified by its Governing Council.

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has sanctioned the promotion of 218 staff members, including 30 academics who have advanced to professorial ranks.

The approvals followed the successful conclusion of the university’s internal promotion exercise, according to an official statement issued by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob.

He explained that appointments to the professorial cadre were based on favourable evaluations from external assessors who reviewed the scholarly publications of the candidates. The promotions received final ratification during the Governing Council meeting held on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 December 2025 at the university’s main campus.

A detailed breakdown shows that 14 academics were promoted to the rank of Professor, while 16 others advanced to Associate Professor. Additionally, 12 staff members rose to the position of Senior Lecturer, seven were promoted to Lecturer I, one to Lecturer II, and one academic staff member attained the rank of Senior Librarian.

The council also reviewed the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 promotion exercises for non-teaching staff. As a result, one staff member was elevated to Grade Level 15, 22 others were promoted across various positions on Level 14, and 29 advanced within the senior staff category. Furthermore, 115 non-teaching staff members were promoted to Level 13 and below.

The newly promoted professors represent a broad spectrum of disciplines, including literature and psychoanalysis, directing and communication aesthetics, feminism and gender studies, philosophy, chemical and civil engineering, applied chemistry, theoretical physics, and several medical specialties such as neurology, dermatology, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and radiology.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, congratulated the beneficiaries and described the exercise as evidence of the university’s dedication to merit, academic excellence, and institutional growth.

He noted that while the promotions recognise past achievements, they also carry increased responsibility for advancing research, mentoring younger scholars, and enhancing the university’s contribution to national development.

Professor Fawehinmi reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to transparent procedures, continuous staff development, and a strong research culture, adding that these priorities would further strengthen UNIABUJA’s national and global standing.

According to him, with the support of the Governing Council, the university remains focused on building an environment where merit is acknowledged promptly and staff are empowered to excel, as UNIABUJA works steadily toward becoming a world-class institution.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GUARDIAN