The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has approved the appointment of Prof. Yakubu Obadaki Yusuf as the pioneer Director of the university’s newly established Directorate of Environmental Management.
Prof. Obadaki, a former GENS Coordinator and lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, will serve for an initial term of two years, effective from August 31, 2026.
His appointment followed the approval by the University Governing Council for the establishment of the Directorate, which is aimed at strengthening environmental governance and management across the institution.
As pioneer Director, Prof. Obadaki is expected to lay a strong foundation for the Directorate and ensure its smooth, effective and impactful take-off.
He is also expected to establish appropriate institutional structures, systems and partnerships and develop the Directorate into a professional and results-oriented unit.
The Vice-Chancellor said the new Director would work closely with the Implementation Committee for the Take-off of the Directorate, of which he is also a member, to provide the institutional and operational support required to implement its mandate successfully.
The university clarified that Prof. Obadaki’s membership of the implementation committee would not affect his primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Directorate.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that the appointment would help position the Directorate as a model of environmental excellence, climate resilience, sustainability and innovation.
He also expressed optimism that the Directorate would deliver tangible and measurable improvements in the university’s physical environment.
According to the university, the establishment of the Directorate reflects its commitment to improving sanitation and waste management, enhancing landscaping and the quality of the physical environment, promoting climate resilience and sustainability, and ensuring environmental compliance.
The Directorate is also expected to leverage emerging opportunities in environmental research, innovation and climate finance.
The university said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen environmental management and create a more sustainable and resilient institutional environment.