In a strategic move to bolster its international profile and sustainable development, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in Kaduna State, has announced the appointment of Professor Umar-Buratai as the new Director of Advancement and International Education.
The appointment approved by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adamu Ahmed, signals a new era of dynamic global engagement and institutional growth for the historic university.
Professor Umar-Buratai, a respected academic from the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, brings a wealth of prestige and expertise to the role.
His appointment is particularly significant following his recent honour by the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), the nation’s highest body of scholars in the arts and humanities.
This recognition underscores his esteemed standing in the academic community and his proven capacity for intellectual leadership and excellence.
Succeeding Professor Sani Abba Aliyu, whose tenure concludes on October 7, 2025, Professor Umar-Buratai is tasked with a critical mandate central to ABU’s future trajectory. In his new capacity, Professor Umar-Buratai will spearhead key initiatives designed to position ABU competitively on the world stage.
His core responsibilities will include strategic fundraising and resource mobilisation, developing and implementing innovative strategies to secure sustainable funding and endowments in support of the university’s projects, research initiatives and scholarship programmes..
Professor Umar-Buratai will focus on building a strong global network of ABU alumni, fostering a culture of lifelong engagement and sustainable philanthropic giving. He will also prioritise establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships with leading universities and research institutions worldwide to promote academic exchange, collaborative research and cultural understanding.
In addition, Professor Umar-Buratai will implement a strategic communications plan to highlight ABU’s academic excellence, research breakthroughs and positive contributions to society for a global audience.
Leading efforts to attract a diverse cohort of international students and esteemed faculty members, enriching the university’s academic and cultural landscape.
The appointment is for an initial term of two years, renewable based on the achievement of key performance indicators.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Adamu Ahmed expressed full confidence in the new Director, stating,
“The appointment of Professor Umar-Buratai is a testament to our commitment to placing our most accomplished and visionary scholars at the helm of our strategic operations”.
“His renowned expertise in grant writing, coupled with his extensive institutional memory and the recent national honour from the Nigerian Academy of Letters, provides a solid foundation for advancing our university’s mission.”
We are confident that his leadership will be instrumental in securing the financial future and enhancing the global reputation of Ahmadu Bello University.”
Professor Buratai’s appointment underscores a growing trend within Nigeria’s education sector, where leading universities are harnessing home-grown intellectual capital to advance internationalisation and sustainable development.
By appointing a scholar of Professor Umar-Buratai’s calibre, ABU demonstrates the depth of talent within the Nigerian academic system and its proactive approach to meeting the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century global education.
The move is expected to significantly contribute to the positive narrative of Nigerian institutions taking their rightful place as centres of excellence and partnership on the international stage.