Farouk Rashid Haruna

Farouk Rashid Haruna (born 30 October 1963) is a Nigerian academic and administrator who serves as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), Niger State. He was formerly the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Kontagora, before the institution was upgraded to a university of education in 2021. Haruna is a Professor of Exercise and Sports Science and has held several leadership positions in Nigeria’s higher education system.

Early life and education

Haruna was born on 30 October 1963 in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. He began his education at Magajin Rafi Primary School, Sokoto, where he studied from 1969 to 1975. He proceeded to Dogo Teachers College, Dogo, between 1976 and 1981.

He obtained his Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Physical and Health Education (PHC) from the College of Education, Minna, in 1985. He later earned a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Physical and Health Education from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1987. Haruna went on to obtain a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Exercise and Sports Science in 1991 and 1998 respectively at ABU.

Academic and administrative career

Haruna began his professional career as a Coaching Assistant (Badminton) with the Niger State Sports Council, Minna, from 1981 to 1982. He completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Government Secondary School, Bakin-Kogi, between 1987 and 1988, where he served as a class teacher. He later returned to the Niger State Sports Council as a Higher Coach (Badminton) from 1988 to 1989.

In 1989, Haruna joined the services of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he rose through the academic ranks to become a Professor in 2007. At ABU, he served as Director of Sports from 1998 to 2009.

He was appointed Provost of Niger State College of Education, Minna, serving from 2009 to 2017. He then become the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Kontagora, in 2018.

Appointment as Vice-Chancellor

On 25 October 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the appointment of Professor Farouk Rashid Haruna as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), following its upgrade from a College of Education.

The appointment was formally made by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Francis Faduyile, who stated that Haruna’s leadership qualities and outstanding performance made him the top choice among six shortlisted candidates.

Haruna had earlier been elected President of the Committee of Provosts in Nigeria on 14 October 2022, after serving as the immediate past Vice President.

Other appointments and recognitions

Professor Haruna has held numerous other appointments and received several recognitions. He was named Ambassador for Peace by the United Nations–Polac on 13 December 2014. He also served as Director for Education for the United Nigeria Chaplaincy Institute of Peace Academy on 24 September 2016.

He holds the traditional titles of Wakilin Makarantun Zazzau Suleja and Majidadin Doko.

Professional affiliations

• Nigerian Association of Physical, Health Education and Recreation (NAPHER)
• Nigerian Association of Sports Science and Medicine (NASSM)
• Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Executive Member (Ex-Officio) 2000
• Badminton Federation of Nigeria – Chairman, Technical Committee (2000–2009)
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Nigerian University Games Association (JONUGA) (2005–2009)
• International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER.SD)

Scholarly works

• Effect of Anabolic Steroids and Amino Acids Supplement on Body Weight, Body Fat Percentage and Grip Strength of Strength-Trained Male Athletes
• Choice Reaction Time and Adaptation in Fatiguing Isometric Contraction among Racket Sports Athletes

About FUEK

The Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), originally established as a College of Education, was upgraded to a university of education in 2021 by an Act of Parliament. The institution officially commenced operations in March 2025. Its mission is to strengthen teacher education and pedagogical research in Nigeria.

© 2025 | Adapted from publicly available information for biographical reference purposes.

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