The management of Northwest University, Sokoto, has launched a monthly capacity-building programme for its senior academic and administrative staff as part of efforts to strengthen institutional governance, improve efficiency and enhance service delivery.
The one-day workshop, held on Wednesday under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Bunza, brought together deans, heads of departments, directors, faculty officers, examination officers and senior registry staff to deepen collaboration and promote professionalism across the institution.
Delivering the keynote address, former Vice-Chancellor and university administrator, Prof. Aminu Mikailu, said the success of any university depends on teamwork, strategic planning and continuous staff development.
“A university grows when every unit understands its responsibilities and works towards a common institutional goal. Academic staff and administrative personnel are partners in progress. One cannot function effectively without the support of the other,” he said.
Mikailu stressed that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee institutional excellence, noting that the competence and commitment of personnel remain the true drivers of academic success.
“Buildings alone do not make a university great. It is the quality, commitment and competence of its personnel that determine whether an institution will attain national and international recognition. Continuous staff development is therefore not a luxury but a necessity,” he added.
He also highlighted the differences between public and private universities, explaining that private institutions enjoy greater administrative flexibility and faster decision-making, while public universities must comply with statutory procedures involving governing councils, supervising ministries and, in some cases, the National Assembly.
Mikailu disclosed that he accepted the invitation to mentor staff of Northwest University as his contribution to the educational vision of the institution’s Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, after previously declining an offer to serve as Vice-Chancellor of Sokoto State University due to health challenges.
Speaking at the event, Bunza said the workshop would become a monthly programme aimed at equipping senior officers with the knowledge and skills required for effective service delivery.
“The strength of every university lies in the teamwork and competence of its workforce. When our staff continue to acquire new knowledge and improve their skills, the institution becomes stronger, more innovative and more competitive,” he said.
He added that the university was committed to modernising its administrative processes and fostering stronger collaboration among all units.
“We cannot continue to do things the old way and expect different results. We must constantly update our knowledge, improve our administrative processes and strengthen collaboration among all units if we are to achieve our vision of becoming a centre of academic excellence,” Bunza stated.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended Senator Wamakko for his continued support for the university, describing him as a visionary leader whose commitment has accelerated the institution’s development.
In his vote of thanks, the Registrar, Umar Garba Garunbabba, expressed appreciation to the founder for approving the monthly training initiative and praised the Vice-Chancellor for ensuring its immediate implementation.
“The university management and staff, especially the Registry staff, will benefit more from the training because the majority of the staff have never worked in the university system. We thank the Founder, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for approving the training, which will take place every month.
“We also commend the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza, for implementing the approval without delay,” he said.
