By Waziri Isa Adam
Following the expiration of the tenure of Professor Suleiman Bala Muhammad as the Fourth Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi, Visitor of the University, Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule has approved the appointment of Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, First Female and Keffi indigene, as the Fifth Vice Chancellor of the Institution
A statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, said, “following wide consultations and consideration of the report of the Governing Council, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule through the exercise of his powers as Visitor to the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has approved the appointment of Profeessor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman as Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The statement said with Professor Liman’s appointment, “she is now fully positioned for optimal performance in line with the vision of the present administration in the education sector”.
The statement further added that the appointment of Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman takes effect from Monday 15th April 2024.
“With this appointment Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman becomes the 5th Substantive Vice-Chancellor and the 1st Female Indigenous Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi”, the statement added.
Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman is a Professor of Islamic Studies in the department of Islamic and Development Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, with specialization in the area of women rights.
She had her Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Degree in Islamic Studies with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 1998 from the University of Jos and rose through the ranks and was confirmed a full Professor of Islamic Studies of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, on 1st October 2017.
Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman has held various academic and administrative responsibilities in Nasarawa State University, Keffi, notably she served as Assistant Dean, Students Affairs Division from 2010 – 2012, Deputy Dean Students Affairs February 2013, Acting Head of Department Religious Studies April 2013 – March 2014, Acting Head of Department Islamic Studies March 2014 – October 2014, and Deputy Dean Students’ Affairs May 2014 – October 2014.
From October 2014 – October 2016, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic under the tenure of Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma. She also served as the Director of Research and Publications from 2019 – 2021. Professor Sa’adatu was once again appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed from April 2021 – July 2023, the last major position she held before her current appointment as the 5th substantive Vice-Chancellor and 1st Female Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Professor Sa’adatu is the President of Nigeria Association of Female Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) she holds a membership of many learned societies which include the Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), member, Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals of Nigeria (FIIFPN), member, International Research and Development Institute, Research and Development Network (IRDI), member, American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), member, American Academy of Religion (AAR), Atlanta, Georgia.
Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman has been conferred with fellowship awards and prizes by many distinguished bodies some of which include Fellow of Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals of Nigeria (FIIFPN), award of the UFUK Dialogue Peace Ambassador by the UFUK Dialogue Foundation on 20th January 2022, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award, Certificate of Excellence presented by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (ABYCN) as ICON OF INTEGRITY AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2021.
Professor Sa’adatu is the winner of Lecturers’ Face of Reading Award 2020 organized by STANDTALL AFRICA INITIATIVE (STAI) Nigeria 31st October, 2020. Meritorious award by the Organisation of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) in recognition of her contribution towards the upliftment of Education in 2013. She was awarded the UNESCO/Suzanne Mubarak Japan/Egypt Friendship Research Fellowship Award for the Empowerment of Women in Peace and Gender Studies, Egypt, 2006, and American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) African Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (AHP) 2011-2012.
Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman is happily married with children and grandchildren.