The Career Service Centre of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has organised a one-day sensitisation workshop on mental stress management and job performance for academic and non-teaching staff of the university.
The workshop focused on promoting staff well-being and enhancing productivity through effective stress management strategies.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, described the theme, “Successful Stress Management Initiatives among Academic and Non-Teaching Staff of Bayero University, Kano,” as timely and highly relevant.
Professor Mustapha noted that universities are increasingly faced with rising academic workloads, administrative pressures and personal challenges, which can adversely affect staff well-being and job performance if not properly managed.
She stressed that Bayero University recognises its workforce as its most valuable asset, adding that the productivity, creativity and commitment of staff are critical to achieving the institution’s vision and mission.
She cautioned that prolonged and unmanaged stress could negatively impact individual health, staff morale, institutional efficiency and service delivery, underscoring the need for proactive mental health initiatives within the university system.
In his remarks, the Director of the Career Service Centre, Professor Ahmed Iliyasu, said the workshop was designed to equip participants with practical tools for managing stress, prioritising personal well-being and improving workplace performance.
According to him, the programme examined the causes and effects of stress while offering practical mental health solutions tailored to academic and work environments.
Several mental health professionals made presentations during the workshop, sharing insights on effective stress management techniques in academic and professional settings.
In a joint presentation on stressors in the academic environment, Dr Tukur Muhammad, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Medical Social Worker at BUK and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), alongside Professor Ahmed Iliyasu, emphasised that academic stress is manageable.
They recommended adequate sleep, effective time management, task prioritisation, self-care and seeking professional support when necessary as key coping strategies.
Other resource persons who delivered presentations at the workshop included Dr Mahfuz Muhammad Haddad, Professor M. B. Shitu and Dr Abdullahi Sufi, all of whom highlighted the importance of mental health management in improving job performance and overall staff well-being.