Four Registrars from public universities in The Gambia have visited Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to understudy the operations of the institution’s Registry Department.
This is aimed at strengthening administrative capacity through a structured working visit.
The university’s spokesperson, Malam Auwalu Umar, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Zaria, said the visit was part of an ongoing institutional collaboration.
He said the Registrars were at the university from Jan. 25 to 30, on a working visit to learn best practices in university administration, registry procedures and service delivery systems.
Umar said the visit was in recognition of ABU’s status as a foremost citadel of learning in Africa, with experienced administrators, seasoned academics, and time-tested researchers across diverse academic and administrative fields.
According to him, the working visit was requested by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, The Gambia, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, a Nigerian and Agronomy staff of ABU seconded in July 2025.
The Gambian Registrars were Mr Bobo Baldeh of the University of The Gambia; Mr Demba S. M. Yabon of University of Education, The Gambia; Mr Alieu B. Saine of USET; and Mrs Adama O. Njie.
He said on arrival, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, where they were formally received alongside the university’s Registrar, Rabiu Samaila, at the main campus.
Prof. Ahmed stressed the long-standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia in education and institutional development.
He said the visit would further open up new areas of collaboration between Ahmadu Bello University and Gambian universities, particularly in registry operations, administration, training, and overall university governance systems.
“During sessions at the Human Resources and Administration Department, the visitors were briefed on the department’s scope of work, interdepartmental linkages, routine administrative responsibilities, and its role in institutional coordination.
“At the Academic Affairs Directorate, the Acting Director, Malam Umar Kasim, explained admission processes, academic procedures, records management, and other related duties, including processing and issuance of students’ academic results,” Umar said.
As part of the programme, papers presented included: “The Role of the University Registrar in the University System” by Rabiu Samaila and “Towards an Effective Registry in the University System” by Janet Kwaga.
Other papers presented were: “The Role of the University Professional Administrator” by Dr Aliyu Kankia, and “Enhancing Service Delivery in the University System” by Malam Nasiru Bello of Academic Affairs Directorate.
Malam Yakubu Anivbassa also delivered a paper on “Managing Human Resources in Universities for Enhanced Productivity,” highlighting strategies for efficient personnel management, improved productivity, and strengthened institutional administrative performance.
Umar said the Registrars were also taken on guided tours of key facilities, including the Institute of Administration, Faculty of Law at Kongo Campus, and the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli.
The delegation further met with two Gambian academics teaching at ABU, Prof. Abdoulie Momodu Sunkary Tekanyi of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering and Dr Muhammad Faal of Political Science Department.
