FUD Secures 1,000 Renewed Hope Houses, As VC Seeks Jigawa Govt Partnership on Housing
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The Vice-Chancellor of the (FUD), Prof. Ahmad Muhammed Gumel, has announced the allocation of 1,000 housing units under President ’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme to the university as part of efforts to strengthen staff welfare, particularly accommodation.
Prof. Gumel made the disclosure during an interactive session with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
He explained that staff welfare remains a key pillar of his 11-point agenda.
“One of the cardinal principles of my administration is staff welfare,” he said. “A coordinator of the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme visited to congratulate me and informed us of the allocation of 1,000 housing units in Janguza, Kano State, to the university.”
The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude for the allocation and pledged the university’s support to enable staff members benefit from the scheme.
“Though the houses are located in Kano, our staff can take advantage of this opportunity to acquire them as valuable assets,” he stated. “We are ready to assist interested staff members in accessing the scheme.”
In a related development, Professor Gumel revealed that he has written to the seek the acquisition of parts of the Danmodi Housing Estate, located adjacent to the university.
According to him, the response from the state government has been positive.
Looking ahead, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed plans to explore a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the construction of staff quarters within the university campus.
Beyond housing, Professor Gumel emphasized the importance of staff training and development to the institution’s growth.
“Staff training and development are essential for the progress of this university. God willing, we have devised ways of sourcing funds for non-teaching staff training and internal research grants for academic staff,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the university’s staff school, he noted that he has directed the Registrar to constitute a committee to reorganize and revamp the school to make it more attractive for staff to enroll their children.
On staff promotions, Professor Gumel announced a restructuring of the promotion cycle.
“The promotion cycle will now commence in April and conclude in October,” he said. “Academic staff assessments will no longer suffer delays, as external assessors will be given a clear timeline to return evaluation reports or risk being replaced.”
He added that the ongoing salary advance scheme would be sustained, while the administration would pursue an aggressive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive to fund projects and improve staff and student welfare.
Professor Gumel further disclosed plans to revive and standardize key university ventures, including the University Guest House, University Farm, Consultancy Services, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, to boost revenue generation.
He called on the unions for loyalty, cooperation, and constructive engagement.
“This administration is for the people. My doors are always open for advice and collaboration on how to move the university forward,” he assured.