Plateau State University, Bokkos, has appointed two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors. Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba and Associate Professor Martha Niri Choji were appointed as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, respectively. The appointments were made at the 106th Special Meeting of Senate held on September 29, 2026, chaired by the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Shedrack Best.
The appointments followed the expiration of the tenures of the former DVCs. Associate Prof. Keziah Y. Ayuba was re-appointed for a second term of two years after completing her first two-year term. Dr Choji was appointed for the first time to replace Prof. Pyefa Galadima, who served two terms as DVC Academic from 2022. The appointments were made following nominations by the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with Section 5 of the First Schedule of the University Law.
The university's Public Relations Officer, Masara Kim, disclosed the appointments in a statement made available to The PUNCH in Jos, the state capital, on Friday. With this development, PLASU joins the University of Ibadan, which in November 2021 became the first Nigerian university to elect two female DVCs simultaneously. PLASU is the second university in the country to have two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors at the same time.
Associate Professor Choji has served as Head of the Mathematics Department, Head of the Remedial Science Programme and Head of the newly established Department of Statistics. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shedrack Best, said the nominations reflect his administration's commitment to equity, inclusivity and merit. He reiterated his commitment to quality service delivery and expressed confidence in the capacity of the new DVCs to drive excellence.
Prof. Best charged the new DVCs to immediately settle into their new roles, noting that the university has a lot to catch up on. The university is due for accreditation of 11 programmes and is also commencing the new academic session. He appreciated the outgoing DVC Academic, Prof. Moses Galadima, for his selfless service to the University, including his role in the accreditation of academic programmes and the digitisation of the students' registration process.
Prof. Galadima provided the moral compass to transition from the culture of non-payment of fees by students to prompt payments. He has chaired the task force on examinations and has been involved with the issue of digitisation of the transcript system. The Vice Chancellor wished him well as he continues to serve the University in other capacities.
Responding on behalf of her colleague, Ayuba thanked the Senate and the VC for the opportunity to serve and pledged to diligently support the vision of the Prof. Best administration. She expressed optimism that together as a team, all things are possible. The appointments of the two female DVCs mark a significant milestone in the university's history.
Key points
- Plateau State University has appointed two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba and Associate Professor Martha Niri Choji.
- The appointments reflect the university's commitment to equity, inclusivity and merit.
- PLASU is the second university in Nigeria to have two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors at the same time.
