The Senate of the University of Abuja has appointed Aisha Maikudi, the institution’s youngest professor of Law, as acting vice-chancellor. Maikudi, a professor of International Law, currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics.
Her appointment followed her nomination at the valedictory Senate meeting held on Wednesday, as stated by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah. Maikudi’s role as acting vice-chancellor will commence after Na’Allah’s tenure ends on June 30, 2024, pending ratification by the governing council.
In her acceptance speech, Maikudi expressed her gratitude to the Senate members for their confidence in her leadership. “I want to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to you all for the strong support and the unwavering commitment that you have accorded me,” she said.
Maikudi was born on January 31, 1983. She attended Queens College, Lagos, and obtained her West African Senior School Certificate Examination. She then proceeded to the University of Reading, United Kingdom, where she earned an LLB in 2004 and an LLM from the London School of Economics & Political Science in 2005. She completed her PhD in International Law in 2015 at the University of Abuja.
Maikudi joined the University of Abuja on September 4, 2008, as Lecturer II and ascended to the rank of professor in 2022. She became the first female Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Law in 2018 and later served as the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019.
Throughout her career, Maikudi has attended numerous national and international conferences in countries including the UK, United States, South Africa, Germany, Italy, and Egypt. She has conducted extensive research on United Nations Law and authored several publications. She is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Law Teachers Association, and International Federation of Women Lawyers.
Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, who is concluding his five-year tenure as vice-chancellor, commended Maikudi’s appointment and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the institution effectively in the interim period.