By Waziri Mahdi Isa
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Professor Muhammad Khalil Othman, has presented a comprehensive scorecard of his first year in office and outlined plans to fully operationalize the university’s main campus.
Professor Othman presented the report on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the 14th Regular Congregation Meeting of the University – the first congregation he has been chairing since assuming office in November last year.
Addressing staff, the Vice-Chancellor said the congregation remains a critical platform to brief the university community on key developments affecting security, infrastructure, academic programmes, staff welfare and student accommodation.
He commended staff for their resilience and dedication, assuring that their welfare and security will remain top priorities of his administration.
Recounting the challenges met on assumption of duty, Prof. Othman listed unpaid contractors, unutilized Study Centres, staff employed with appointment letters but not properly placed, and a huge infrastructure deficit that left the main campus deserted and underutilized. He also cited insecurity, vandalism of university property and the slow relocation of academic and administrative activities to the main campus.
He said significant progress has been made through sustained engagements with security agencies, leading to the deployment of security personnel to the main campus. This, he noted, has enabled the ongoing relocation of faculties and the restoration of water, power and internet services to make the campus habitable for staff and students.
To ease transportation challenges, the university has provided two dedicated buses for staff commuting from Katsina to Dutsin-Ma and a free shuttle service for staff and students between the Take-off campus and the main campus, a distance of about 24 kilometres, at considerable cost to the institution.
On academics, the VC disclosed that over 31 academic programmes have undergone accreditation, with 19 securing full accreditation within the first year of his administration. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence and improved teaching and learning.
He further announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has earmarked over N1 billion for the construction of new student hostels. The project is expected to boost on-campus accommodation, with a target of housing about 5,000 students at the main campus before the end of the year.
Prof. Othman warned that indiscipline will not be condoned under his leadership, stressing that any staff or student found culpable of wrongdoing will face sanctions.
He added that the university will in the coming days scale up its community service interventions in agriculture and education to positively impact host and neighbouring communities.
The meeting was also addressed by the Registrar, Dr. Musa Ajiya.