Patricia Manko Lar (born January 1, 1964) is a Nigerian university professor and an expert in Medical Microbiology. On February 6, 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed her as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University). She succeeded Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, who was earlier removed from office by the president.
Early Life and Education
Patricia Lar was born in Langtang. She received her elementary and secondary education in Plateau State, attending St. Theresa Girls’ School, Jos, and LEA Primary School, Riyom, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate.
She later earned her GCE and IJMB from Girls’ High School, Gindiri, and the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1981 and 1983, respectively.
In 1986, she graduated with a BSc in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She then proceeded to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she obtained an MSc and a PhD in Medical Microbiology in 1989 and 1998, respectively.
Career
After completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the former Gongola State, Patricia Lar joined the Department of Microbiology at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) as a Graduate Assistant (1987–1989). She steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a Professor of Medical Microbiology in 2015.
With 38 years of academic research and teaching experience, Prof. Lar has held several key academic and administrative positions at UNIJOS. She served as Head of the Microbiology Department twice, from 2008 to 2010 and 2012 to 2017. Additionally, she was a member of the Board of CISCO, UNIJOS Branch, and later became the Acting Director of Linkages at the institution.
On February 6, 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed her as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja), replacing Prof. Aisha Maikudi, who was occupying the position under controversial circumstances. Before this appointment, Prof. Lar had been a Senate member at the University of Jos since 2015.
Prof. Patricia Lar has also served as a visiting lecturer at Plateau State University, Bokkos, and as an external examiner at Ahmadu Bello University (2013–2017), Federal University, Lafia (2015–2017), and the University of Abuja (2015–2017).
Research Work
Prof. Lar’s research interests focus on the surveillance and control of infectious diseases, including malaria, HIV/AIDS, as well as phytomedicine and antimicrobial drug resistance monitoring.
Her academic publications include:
Her research has been published in notable platforms such as African Journals Online (AJOL), EKB Journal Management System, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, among other local and international journals.
Honours and Awards
Prof. Lar’s work has earned her several research grants and fellowships. She is a:
- Fellow, International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation (IWF).
- Fellow, NIH-Fogarty AIDS International Research and Training Program (AITRP) for her studies on the molecular characterization of HIV-1 isolates in Jos.
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