Federal government have been urged to lift the embargo on recruitment for universities to address the manpower needs in academic activities.
The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University zaria, Professor kabiru Bala made the call during the 42nd/diamond jubilee convocation ceremony held at the Mamman Kontagora Square in zaria.
The Vice Chancellor said there is a serious shortage of manpower especially in academic units of the university which has significant impact on the staff-students ratio in many programmes that always strain the available staff.
He said like many Nigerian universities, Ahmadu Bello University is facing challenges of financial sustainability since the aftermath of COVID 19.
He therefore calls for collaboration between all stakeholders to find out innovative ways of ensuring smooth running of the university.
He said the collaboration is important considering the need for more ICT investment and capacity development of staff to meet up with the growing challenges of education.
Professor Bala said despite the financial challenges facing the university,it continues to grow in number of academic programmes and research aimed at addressing local and global challenges.
He said that the university has recently established the Venom and Antivenom and Natural Toxins Research centre and Centre for Inland Basin Studies.
The Vice Chancellor added that additional postgraduate courses have also been mounted in many departments that includes Microelectronics and Telecommunications Engineering, Agricultural products processing and storage Engineering.
He said the university will continue to strive for excellence in its core mandates of teaching, research and community service despite its size and current challenges to cater for the intellectual and developmental needs of the society.
Speaking earlier, the Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha,Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe urged the graduants to become self employed rather than waiting to join Labour market for a monthly salary.
He said the 21st century is the age of digital revolution and technology has become the main access to literally all occupations, professions and vocations
The Obi of Onitsha also congratulates the honorary graduants for being found worthy of the award of Honorary Degrees by the university,saying that their support for education is exemplary and commendable.
During the convocation ceremony, three prominent Nigerians were confired with Honorary Degrees, and they include Former military Governor of Kano state,Col Sani Bello, Zaria based educationist,Malam Muhammadu Jibo and a philanthropist from katsina state,Hajiya Fatima Lami Kurfi.
So many dignitaries, academicians from a cross universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,Emirs of zazzau and Emir of Kontagora,students and Parents attended the ceremony.
Cov/Haliru Hamza