The University of Abuja is a tertiary institution in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. It was established on January 1, 1988 as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes. Academic work began in the University in 1990 with the matriculation of its pioneer students.
History
The University took off from a temporary site, made up of three blocks of building meant for a primary school in Gwagwalada, tagged the "mini - campus". Academic activities started on the mini - campus in 1990. In the same year, the University was allocated an expanse of land covering over 11,800 hectares along the Abuja city center - Gwagwalada road for the development of its main campus. The University of Abuja, Gwagwalada mini-campus is the first campus of the university to be established at take-off time. Though the university is gradually relocating to the permanent site, up till this day, the campus still hosts two female hostels and a boys’ hostel making a total of three thousand students. Among the landmarks in the campus includes the Senate Chamber, the Science Laboratories, Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Remedial Studies and the Institute of Education.
Location
The University now operates from both its Main Campus, in Giri, along Abuja Airport Road, and the Mini - Campus in Gwagwalada. Currently, the Administrative Building, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Management Science, the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and College of Medicine are on the Main Campus. More faculties are expected to relocate to the Main Campus from Gwagwalada in due course. The distance learning offices of the University are located within the Abuja municipality in Area 3 where contact sessions of the programme are also held.
Academics
The university runs regular degree, diploma, and postgraduate programmes. Due to its location in the Federal Capital Territory has a Centre for Distance Learning School which provides university education to those who cannot acquire such education through the regular university system and those interested in acquiring new knowledge and specialised skills.
Council and Administration
The Key organs and officers involved in the administration and governance of the University are: the Governing Council, the Senate, the Congregation and the Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor, Two Deputy Vice Chancellors, the Registrar and Secretary to Council, the Bursar, the University Librarian, Deans of Faculties, Directors of Centres and Institutes and Heads of Department. All these organs and officials are supported by the Committee system which is the pivot of administration of the University. The Governing Council The Council consists of the Chairman who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the University, the Vice Chancellors a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, four persons appointed by the NationalCouncil of Ministers representing broad national interests, four persons appointed by the Senate from its members, one persons each appointed by the Congregation and the Convocation among their members and the Registrar as Secretary to Council. The Council is the highest policy-making organ of the University. The Senate The Senate is the highest University authority on academic matters. It is the general function of the Senate to organise and control teaching at the University and the admission and discipline of students, as well as the promotion of research. The Senate comprises the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Professors, the University Librarian, Deans, Directors and Deputy Deans, Heads of Academic Departments, one member of academic staff representing each Faculty and the Registrar as Secretary. The Congregation The Congregations is made up of all members of staff of the University who were university graduates by appointment. The Vice-Chancellor is its chairman and the Registrar is Secretary. Congregation meetings, being statutory, are called to afford members opportunities to have a say in matters affecting their welfare. The university runs a consultancy services sub-degree program and an institute of education to cater for the professional needs of teachers and specialised needs of government education bodies; it provides avenues for the establishment of linkages on education matters with organisations and institutions in and outside Nigeria. Faculties and colleges College of Health Sciences Faculty of Arts Faculty of Agriculture Faculty of Education Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Law Faculty of Science Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Management Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine School of Post Graduate Studies School of Remedial Studies
Campus
The university has its mini campus in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria and a permanent site covering about 11,824 hectares located along the Kaduna - Lokoja - Abuja Road. The Permanent site is home to the Faculties of Arts, Science, Management Science Veterinary medicine, Agriculture and Engineering with the College of medicine and contains the university senate and other administrative building. The mini campus is still the temporary location to the Faculties of education, social science, and law.
