The Senate of the University of Abuja has selected Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi to serve as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, awaiting the inauguration of the University Council and the appointment of a permanent Vice-Chancellor. This decision follows the conclusion of Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah’s term as the 6th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) on June 30, 2024.
Professor Aisha, who is an esteemed Professor of International Law and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) at the University, was born on January 31, 1983, in Zaria, Kaduna State. She completed her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and subsequently pursued her higher education in the United Kingdom. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Reading and her Master of Laws (LLM) from the London School of Economics. Additionally, she attended the Nigeria Law School in Abuja, where she was called to the Bar, and later earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law from the University of Abuja.
Her professional journey includes participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2007, during which she worked in the Corporate Secretariat and Legal Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In 2008, Aisha joined the University of Abuja as a lecturer and rapidly ascended the ranks. By 2014, she had become the first female and youngest Head of the Department, Faculty of Law. In 2018, she made history again as the first female and youngest Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law and subsequently became the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja.
Professor Aisha’s academic career is marked by several notable achievements. She is recognized as the youngest professor at the University of Abuja and is celebrated as the first female professor of law in the North West region of Nigeria and at the University itself. Her academic focus is on United Nations Law, a field in which she has made significant scholarly contributions. Moreover, she launched a postgraduate course on United Nations Law and has mentored numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her teaching portfolio also includes over 12 years of experience in Company Law, demonstrating her deep expertise in this area.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Professor Aisha has actively engaged in various professional circles. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL). Her involvement in these organizations underscores her commitment to the legal profession and her advocacy for women’s rights within the legal framework.
Beyond her professional achievements, Professor Aisha is married and has children, balancing her personal life with her demanding academic and administrative roles. She has participated in numerous conferences and training sessions worldwide, contributing to her broad understanding of both local and international legal landscapes.
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