By Muhammad Nasiru Yaya
Leadership in academia is often measured not only by policies and projects, but by stability, service, and the enduring footprints left behind. For Prof. Umaru A. Pate, the outgoing 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), the end of his tenure marks not just a transition but the close of a chapter defined by commitment, resilience, and purposeful leadership. As he bows out with the words, “I have served, I am happy to leave”, he does so as a fulfilled and happy man—having delivered on the responsibilities entrusted to him.
On the 18th December, 2020, Professor Pate was appointed the 3rd substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashere by the Governing Council of the institution, under the leadership of Barrister Yakubu A.H Buba (SAN), in a seamless and transparent exercise. On Wednesday, 10th February, 2021, he took over the mantle of the Federal University of Kashere as the 3rd Vice Chancellor, with a solemn pledge to transform the University into one of the great fortresses of learning not only in Nigeria but also in Africa.
In his first impression as VC he fully praises the Almighty Allah for choosing him to occupy the exalted seat- promised to make his dream of transforming the University a reality by adoption of six-points agenda which involves, physical and academic development, maintenance of standards and quality assurance in the system, provision of an excellent town and grown relationship, improved staff and students warfare as well as making investment on Information and Communication Technology. He believed these are essential for any serious institution yearning for academic excellence and development, to ensure global visibility and to reach out within and beyond for resource mobilisation. He promised to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the institution has sufficient resources to execute and achieve its goals.
On the day of his arrival, he declared that he would do his utmost best to ensure that he didn’t disappoint the confidence reposed in him. He said, and I quote, “Mine will be to consolidate and further build on what the first and second Vice Chancellors were able to lay. This is the system that will outlive us. It never occurred to me that one day, I would also be part of the process. And today I am here, in Sha Allah, we shall do our best to make Federal University of Kashere a great institution.”
He further added that “what you sow today may germinate in many, many years to come. If you sow evil, you will harvest evil. If you sow good, you will never tell the extent of the fruit you are going to benefit from; therefore, we are going to sow a seed that will be counting in us long after we must have left this place.” However, these are not just statements; they are a declaration of commitment, resilience, and purposeful leadership.
Within just a year, the institution started to see changes across various faculties and research centres, as well as academic and non-academic standards. Within a short time, he visually transformed the institution for the better in all aspects. Two years down the line, the Federal University of Kashere had become a hub of academic excellence. He also sponsored more than 45 people for International workshops, and proposal writing on Grand Menard and Management, and promoted multiple stand academic staff to professorial careers.
In 2024, more than three years into his stewardship, the University had maintained its standards through innovative research and a conducive learning environment, which had garnered national recognition. Under his leadership, in the 2024 National University rankings in Nigeria, the institution secured the 29th spot among the country’s best universities, alongside Covenant University, the University of Ibadan, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure. In 2025, the University was placed as 28th overall in the country.
In the same way, during his tenure, Pate upgraded the SIWES and General Studies Unit to a Directorate and its own, and he also granted approval for the commencement of part-time undergraduate degree programmes at the university. In the same vein, he also established the IJMB programme at the University. He also established a college of Medical Sciences. He is fully accredited for about ten undergraduate programs from the National University Commission (NUC), including Mass Communication. He also established three academic centres of excellence for Sugar Research and Development, Peace and Security Studies, and Environmental and Climate Studies.
In addition, the Federal University of Kashere has consistently recorded commendable achievements and projects under the leadership of Prof. U.A. Pate. The University, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the study of communication for social and behavioural change.
However, Under the administration of Prof. Pate, Federal University, Kashere has become a beehive of construction activities, notable among these projects are, completion of Lectures Theater 3, 350 Capacity, completion of 30 number of professorial offices, completion of Lecture Room C, completion of the Other wing of the 250 Twin Lecture Theater, LT2, as well as completion of Prof. Jibrin Aminu College of Medical Sciences, he also secured multi-million FUK Guest house in Asokoro Abuja, the groundbreaking of FUK Christian Chapel, the ongoing new University Senate building and new 500 capacity Lecture Theater.
On 12 December, 2022, Prof. Pate established the Broadcasting Complex, which contains both TV and Radio Studios, with the aim of supporting student learning. Within the last five years, Prof. Pate has signed a number of MoUs and collaborated with notable organisations and institutions, both locally, nationally, and globally, to reach out to prominent personalities in the state and beyond and attract funds to execute more projects on Campus.
Throughout his tenure as Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pate has maintained a cordial relationship with staff and students of the University; to say that, Prof. Pate has more than justified his appointment as leader of this great fortress of learning. Now that he leaves, FUK has been further repositioned as a great institution for higher learning.
As Prof. Umaru A. Pate steps away from office, he leaves behind more than records and reports—he leaves a university steadier than he met it, a community shaped by service, and a legacy anchored in duty fulfilled. His tenure as the 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere will be remembered not for noise, but for substance; not for length, but for impact. Indeed, he came, he served, he delivered—and he left a happy man.
Muhammad Nasiru Yaya, a graduate of Mass Communication, writes from home.
Mohammadnasiryaya@gmail.com.