The Governing Council of North-Eastern University (NEU), Gombe, has approved the promotion of the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Dr. Mohammad Sani Isyaka, to the rank of Professor of Organic and Natural Products Chemistry. This promotion took effect on October 1, 2026, following the successful completion of the university’s external assessment process and subsequent ratification by the Governing Council.
Dr. Isyaka, born on August 30, 1986, in the Gombe Local Government Area, makes history as the youngest individual from Gombe State to attain the rank of full Professor at 40 years old. This milestone follows a previous record set at age 37, when he became the youngest Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the state’s history. The development was officially communicated in a letter signed by the University Registrar, Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar.
The NEU management congratulated the newly elevated don, describing his promotion as a landmark achievement for both the individual and the institution. In recognition of his extensive contributions to the chemical sciences, Isyaka was also recently admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (FICCON). This achievement is a testament to his dedication to academic scholarship and institutional growth.
Professor Isyaka began his academic career in 2012 as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of Kashere. He later joined North-Eastern University, where he rose to the rank of Associate Professor in 2023 before achieving full professorship this year. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Abuja (2008), a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from the same institution (2012), and a PhD in Organic and Natural Products Chemistry from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom (2020).
As an accomplished researcher, the DVC has published over 100 research papers in Scopus-indexed journals. His groundbreaking work in natural products chemistry includes the isolation and identification of 47 novel chemical compounds from three African Croton plant species. Notably, a compound named “Saniolide” was coined in his honour after demonstrating therapeutic activity against melanoma (M14), renal (786-0), and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell lines in laboratory evaluations.
Beyond his research capabilities, Professor Isyaka has served in multiple administrative capacities at NEU. He has previously held roles as the Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Chairman of the Senate Business Committee, and Pioneer Director of the Centre for African Medicinal Plants Research. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development and integration of a 30 per cent local content structure into the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) across more than 30 academic programmes at the university.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Mukhtar Saulawa, issued a statement congratulating Professor Isyaka on his promotion. The NEU management expressed pride in his achievements, highlighting his contributions to the institution’s growth and academic excellence. With this promotion, Professor Isyaka continues to make history and inspire future generations of academics in Nigeria.
Key points
- North-Eastern University promotes DVC Mohammad Sani Isyaka to Professor at 40.
- Isyaka is the youngest individual from Gombe State to attain the rank of full Professor.
- He has published over 100 research papers in Scopus-indexed journals.
