The National President of the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Dr. Victor M. Bem, has called on senior university administrators across Nigeria to adopt strategic leadership approaches that will strengthen resilience, governance, and sustainability in the nation’s universities.
Dr. Bem made the call at the 2026 ANUPA National Training Workshop for Senior University Professional Administrators, held today at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State.
Speaking on the theme; “Advancing University Resilience through Effective Strategic Governance, Administrative Excellence and Institutional Sustainability,” the ANUPA President said Nigerian universities are facing increasing complexities, financial pressures, governance challenges, and rapid technological changes that require administrators to go beyond routine management and embrace strategic leadership.
He noted that the training programme focuses on strategic university governance and institutional resilience, with sub-themes including administrative data analytics, digital transformation, ethical governance, sustainable funding, conflict resolution, and succession planning aimed at equipping administrators with modern leadership skills.
Dr. Bem described senior administrators as architects of institutional stability and custodians of governance frameworks, urging participants to use the workshop as a platform to share experiences, recalibrate administrative strategies, and develop innovative solutions capable of enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
Declaring the event open, the Seventh Vice-Chancellor and first female Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, stressed the need to strengthen administrative capacity as a key driver for the growth and sustainability of Nigerian universities.
She noted that MOUAU was proud to host the training programme, describing it as an important contribution to the continuous professional development of university administrators both within the institution and across the country.
Prof. Akanwa further stated that the future of Nigerian universities depends largely on strong administrative systems and competent personnel, while commending ANUPA for its consistent efforts in enhancing the professional capacity of university administrators and strengthening the higher education system.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Registrar of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Dr. Mrs. Nkeiruka Charity Mbanasor, stressed the need for ethical governance and strict anti-corruption compliance in university administration.
Presenting a paper titled “Council Affairs, Ethical Governance and Anti-Corruption Compliance in University Administration,” Dr. Mbanasor explained that the Governing Council remains the highest policy and decision-making body of universities in non-academic matters, with responsibilities for overseeing policy direction, finance, and property management of the institution.
She highlighted the roles of key council committees such as the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Appointments and Promotions Committee, noting that professional administrators, particularly registry staff, play critical roles in coordinating council activities, documenting decisions, and ensuring proper implementation of policies.
The MOUAU Registrar emphasized that university administrators must demonstrate integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for due process, warning against bribery and unethical practices capable of undermining institutional credibility and governance.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Dr. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, advocated for deliberate succession planning, mentorship, and knowledge transfer as essential strategies for building sustainable university administration.
Presenting a paper titled “Sustainable Efficient University Administration: Succession Planning, Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer,” Dr. Nnebedum noted that administrators are the backbone of institutional continuity and must intentionally groom future leaders while preserving institutional knowledge to ensure long-term stability and effective governance in Nigerian universities.
Universities that participated in the event were Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), among others.
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