Prayer sessions across campuses and a press briefing by the Vice-Chancellor marked the 63rd anniversary of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
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Prof Adamu Ahmed addressed journalists at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, highlighting the institution’s contributions to national, regional and global development during the low-key celebration, according to a statement from the university’s Public Affairs Directorate.
Staff and students gathered at mosques and churches on both campuses to pray for the university’s continued growth.
The institution, which began operations with 426 students in four faculties, has grown into one of Africa’s largest universities with 18 faculties, 110 academic departments, and numerous specialised centres.
Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, performed the university’s opening ceremony on October 4, 1962, as its first Chancellor. The institution was named in his honour.
The university’s establishment followed a 1959 recommendation by the Ashby Commission on Post-School Certificate and Higher Education for a university in Zaria to serve the then Northern Region of Nigeria.
Sir Norman Stanley Alexander, a New Zealander and Professor of Physics at the then University College, Ibadan, became the first Principal and later Vice-Chancellor, taking office in November 1961.
The Northern Nigerian Legislature passed a law in April 1961 establishing a Provisional Council of Northern Nigeria. The council was formed in November 1961 under Sir Kashim Ibrahim’s chairmanship. Ibrahim subsequently became the Governor of Northern Nigeria and Visitor to the university.
The university emerged from several earlier institutions: the defunct Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Zaria (founded 1955); the Clerical Training Centre, Kongo (established 1957); the Samaru Agricultural Research Station (founded 1924); and the Shika Stock Farm (started 1928).
Initially, the university operated with faculties in Agriculture, Engineering, Law, and Sciences, alongside 15 academic departments.
The then Federal Military Government assumed control of the university through the Ahmadu Bello University [Transition] Provisions Decree of 1975, granting it federal university status.
By its 25th anniversary in 1987, the institution had expanded to become the most extensive university in sub-Saharan Africa, spanning approximately 7,000 hectares.
Current facilities include a College of Medical Sciences, a Postgraduate College, a Distance Learning Centre, an International Institute of Online Education, three Africa Centres of Excellence, and multiple research institutes and centres.
Sir Ahmadu Bello articulated the university’s founding philosophy at the 1962 opening ceremony as based on the “cardinal principle of imparting knowledge and learning to men and women of all races without any distinction on the grounds of race, religion, or political beliefs.”
The university’s 1962 and 1975 Laws outline objectives, including providing instruction in humanities, sciences, and other fields at the highest university standards, promoting research and advancing science and learning, and ensuring knowledge dissemination throughout Nigeria.
The university has had 15 Vice-Chancellors since its establishment:
Prof. Norman Stanley Alexander (1961-1966);
Prof. Ishaya Audu (1966-1975);
Prof. Iya Abubakar (1975-1978);
Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe (1978-1979);
Prof. Ango Abdullahi (1979-1986);
Prof. Nayaya Mohammed (1986-1991);
Prof. Daniel Saror (1991-1995);
Major General Mamman Kontagora (rtd) as Sole Administrator (1995-1998);
Prof. Abdullahi Mahadi (1998-2004);
Prof. Shehu Usman Abdullahi (2004-2009);
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha (2010-2015);
Prof. Ibrahim Garba (2015-2020); Prof Kabiru Bala (2020-2025);
and Prof. Adamu Ahmed (May 2025 to date).
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