The management of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU) has formally appealed to the Katsina State Government for approval to recruit additional academic staff to bolster teaching and research capacity, amid rising student enrolment and stringent regulatory requirements. The appeal was made public during the university’s 14th convocation ceremony, where Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Salihu Muhammad, outlined the institution’s pressing staffing challenges.
Addressing dignitaries, graduates, and stakeholders, Prof. Muhammad revealed that at least 43 academic programmes currently require more qualified personnel to meet the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation standards. He warned that without urgent intervention, the university risks overburdening its existing staff and undermining research productivity.
“The request has become urgent,” the Vice-Chancellor said, noting that UMYU’s steady expansion in both student population and programme offerings has significantly increased the demand for qualified lecturers. He added that the situation has been compounded by staff exits due to retirement, resignations, and appointments to public offices.
Prof. Muhammad recalled that UMYU began operations with roughly 1,000 students but has since grown into a major state-owned institution with over 20,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university now offers more than 100 programmes spread across 17 faculties — a development he described as a testament to its rapid growth.
“This remarkable expansion has placed enormous pressure on our existing staff and facilities,” he said, emphasizing that maintaining academic quality requires a proportional increase in staffing levels. Accreditation standards set by the NUC, he noted, require not only sufficient numbers but also specific academic ranks and qualifications within departments.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that 28 undergraduate programmes have recently been submitted for NUC accreditation and expressed optimism for positive outcomes. However, he stressed that sustaining accreditation across all programmes will necessitate immediate recruitment to fill identified gaps.
He cautioned that failing to address the staffing deficit could impede programme development, postgraduate supervision, and research output. “We are committed to upholding quality, but quality assurance must be backed by adequate manpower,” he emphasized.
Education stakeholders at the convocation noted that public universities across Nigeria face similar staffing pressures due to rapid enrolment growth and limited recruitment approvals. Analysts warn that without strategic investment in human resources, universities may struggle to meet global standards in teaching, research, and innovation.
Observers also highlighted that NUC accreditation remains a vital benchmark for programme legitimacy, student confidence, and graduate employability. Programmes lacking adequate staffing risk losing full accreditation, which could affect admissions and funding.
Prof. Muhammad concluded by urging the Katsina State Government to prioritise the recruitment request to safeguard the future of higher education in the state, reaffirming UMYU’s commitment to academic excellence, research advancement, and community development.
