The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Professor Tanko Ishaya, has described the institution’s 50th anniversary as both a celebration of resilience and a reminder of persistent challenges that continue to hinder its development.
Professor Ishaya made this known during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 35th and 36th combined convocation ceremonies scheduled for December 12 and 13.
He noted that UNIJOS remains the only second-generation federal university that did not receive a take-off grant at inception, a gap he said laid a difficult foundation the institution is still struggling to overcome decades later.
Despite the setback, the Vice-Chancellor said the university has expanded significantly, growing from four faculties to 17 and currently running 93 academic programmes. He disclosed that about 60,000 graduands are expected to receive certificates and degrees during the forthcoming convocation.
Highlighting achievements recorded under his administration, Ishaya said UNIJOS recently ranked among Nigeria’s top 10 universities in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, placing within the 1201–1500 global category.
He also revealed that the institution was selected as one of six Technology Centres of Excellence in Nigeria, with a focus on advancing research and innovation in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
According to him, major infrastructure interventions include a ₦4 billion TETFund Special High Impact Project, a solar hybrid power system, and the installation of 430 solar-powered streetlights under the Energizing Education Programme. He added that UNIJOS successfully hosted the 27th Nigerian University Games, emerging with the highest number of medals.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed plans to establish a Sports Institute that will offer over ten academic programmes, including Sports Medicine and Sports Journalism.
However, he acknowledged that the university continues to grapple with deep structural problems. He said rapid expansion has not been matched by the recruitment of sufficient academic and non-academic staff, a situation he warned could affect staff morale, increase workload, and threaten accreditation status.
Ishaya also identified rising energy costs, land encroachment, and illegal mining activities as major threats to campus safety and operations. He noted that recurring crises in Jos have repeatedly disrupted academic activities and slowed development projects.
As his tenure draws to a close, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to alumni, government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to support efforts to reposition the university.
“Our journey has been one of rising above adversity,” he said, adding that resilience alone would no longer be sufficient without accountability, sustained investment, and shared responsibility to secure the institution’s future.
