The Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, has had three Vice-Chancellors since the institution was established by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan on January 9, 2013.
From Prof. Ben Chucks Okeke as the pioneer VC, here are the names of the vice chancellors of FUGUS since the institution commenced academic programme:
Prof. Ben Chucks Okeke (19 Feb. 2013 – 13 Feb. 2016)
Ben Chucks Okeke was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau Zamfara.
He was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, until his appointment on February 19, 2013, by President Jonathan.
However, Ben Chucks Okeke and some Vice-Chancellors appointed by Goodluck Jonathan couldn’t complete their 5-year single tenure when they were sacked on on February 13, 2016, by administration of President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressive Congress (APC) government.
As such, Okeke, along with 12 other Vice Chancellors who were appointed by PDP-led government of Jonathan were fired by the Buhari administration.
Okeke is a Professor of Technical & Vocational Entrepreneurial Skill Educations.
Although there were protests and the House of Representatives intervened by inviting the minister of education at the time, Mallam Adamu Adamu, over the arbitrary sacking, those were not enough to bring Okeke and his other colleagues back to their position.
Prof. Magaji Garba (14 Feb. 2016 – 10 Feb. 2021)
Prof Magaji Garba was a former lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. He was appointed as the second substantive VC by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on February 14, 2016.
However, his tenure ended unceremoniously, he was arrested for corruption on February 2, 2021, even before he completed his tenure as the VC. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him to court over contract scam worth N260 million.
According to Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, Prof. Garba was said to have in 2018 fraudulently obtained N260million from a contractor and the founder of Ministaco Nigeria Ltd., Alhaji Shehu Sambo, on the pretext that N3 Billion perimeter fencing would be awarded to to him.
Prof. Garba’s tenure ended on February 10, 2021, but continued to face corruption charges in court.
Bby December 1, 2022, Justice Maryam Aliyu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, sentenced the former VC to seven years jail because he was found guilty on all five counts charges brought against him, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency said in a statement.
Professor Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau (10 Feb. 2021 – To date)
Professor Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau is the third and incumbent Vice-Chancellor of FUGUS. He assumed office on February 10, 2021, following his selection by the institution’s governing council.
He is in the news lately because he addressed the press on the controversial professorship that Dr Bernard Odoh claimed to have got from the FUGUS in November 2015.
Abubakar Gusau is a professor of toxicology at the Department of Biochemistry Usman Danfodio University Sokoto until his emergence as VC in Gusau.
His tenure is expected to elapse in February 2026.
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