The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, has called on the University community to work towards restoring its collective honour and academic excellence.

Addressing the University Senate yesterday for the first time since she assumed office, she stressed the need for academics to uphold their responsibility of moulding students’ character and learning, while setting aside rancour and division.

" But for us to move forward, we must agree that we have not exhibited the highest or loftiest sense of decorum, tolerance, respect for each other and self-restraint, in the face of provocation, and these are characteristics of a community of noble scholars,” Professor Lar charged.   “We must all commit to working for the progress of academic excellence in this University. With the great potential and scholars of international repute in this institution, and our strategic location in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria — which is place of strength — we cannot but work together for a great citadel of knowledge.”

Recalling her arrival on campus on 11 February 2025, she expressed gratitude for the warm reception from both teaching and non-teaching staff, including key university officials and stakeholders.

She noted that though the University faced “a turbulent succession crisis which has undoubtedly affected its rating among universities of repute that warranted the visitor’s intervention,” it was recovering so fast.

The acting vice-chancellor reiterated her mandate to oversee a transparent selection process for the University’s eighth substantive vice-chancellor within her six-month tenure, while urging all stakeholders to create an atmosphere of peace and inclusivity to facilitate a smooth transition.

"The process of appointing a new vice-chancellor will commence soon, once a full council is constituted, and representatives from the Senate and Congregation will be elected accordingly," she said. " And this task cannot be accomplished in an atmosphere of mistrust, chaos, or division."

She called for the election of strong, selfless, and capable representatives who uphold the values of fairness and accountability.

Providing an update on her activities since assuming office, “Lar recounted her familiarisation tour across all 16 faculties, as well as various centres and units, which revealed some critical issues regarding delay in promotions, staff shortage, inadequate student hostels, and portal system that required attention.  “As an immediate intervention,” she stated, “I have constituted a committee to interrogate this hydra-headed challenge and advise on a robust portal system for our operations as a world- class University.”

She acknowledged the contributions of past vice-chancellors in building the University and urged the community to shift its focus towards positive narratives. "This University is far better than what is often projected in the media. We must change the narrative and start telling our own success stories but we need to come together to change the narrative, to start telling a positive story of ourselves instead of the cankerous smear campaign out there we’re known for,” she said.

Lar also stressed the importance of inclusivity, advocating for greater recognition of diverse groups, including gender representation, persons with disabilities, and religious tolerance.

The acting vice-chancellor informed the Senate about the payment of the January and February salaries of 143 staff who were recruited without budgetary provision for their payment, assuring them the remaining liabilities would be settled soon.

Lar expressed gratitude to the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, for his commitment to the University’s progress, as well as to staff and students for their continued support.

"As we move forward, I urge everyone to partner with me in fostering a peaceful and collaborative academic environment," she said.