The race to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, has intensified, with eight professors reportedly in contention to succeed the incumbent, Professor Tanko Ishaya, whose five-year tenure ends in November 2026.
The development follows an interactive session organised on Monday by the university’s Advancement Office in collaboration with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where the aspirants presented their visions, leadership priorities and development plans for the institution.
The candidates who participated in the engagement included Professors Patricia Lar, Ikonne Ogaji, Victor Duga, Sati Fwatshak, Anthony Dakum, Bernard Matur and Simon Yiltok.
During the session, the aspirants responded to questions from stakeholders on university governance, funding, staff and students’ welfare, research, innovation and institutional development.
Speaking at the event, ASUU Chairman, Professor Joseph Jurbe Molwus, said the engagement was designed to give critical stakeholders an opportunity to interact with the candidates and contribute to shaping the university’s future leadership.
Molwus urged the aspirants to approach the contest as an opportunity to serve rather than a do-or-die affair, stressing that whoever emerges should enjoy the collective support of other candidates and members of the university community.
He also disclosed that ASUU had earlier engaged student leaders to gather their expectations and concerns about university administration, adding that the issues had been compiled into a document to guide the incoming Vice-Chancellor.
Also speaking, former Vice-Chancellor of Karl Kumm University, Professor Nanven Gambo, challenged the aspirants to prioritise integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and respect for institutional procedures in their administration.
Gambo, who spoke on the theme, “Governance, Integrity and Inclusivity: Vision, Mission, Academic Leadership and Innovation,” emphasised that effective university leadership must be guided by the collective interest of staff, students and other stakeholders.
He further urged the candidates to develop realistic development plans based on a proper assessment of the institution’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, while exploring external partnerships and research opportunities to improve funding.
In an interview, the Executive Director of the University of Jos Advancement Office and co-convener of the event, Professor Sarah Lwahas, said the interaction was intended to enable members of the university community to assess the candidates’ character, leadership qualities, vision and capacity to steer the institution forward.
She explained that the Advancement Office had sustained engagements with staff, students, alumni and external stakeholders over the past three years as part of efforts to promote institutional growth.
The interaction provided the aspirants with an opportunity to outline their priorities and respond to concerns bordering on the future direction of the university.
Professor Tanko Ishaya, who assumed office on December 1, 2021, is expected to complete his five-year single tenure in November 2026.