Patricia Lar Becomes UNIJOS's First Female Vice-Chancellor

Professor Patricia Manko Lar has been appointed the 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), making her the first woman to lead the Nigerian institution since its establishment. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the university’s leadership history and highlights the growing representation of women in senior academic positions.

The appointment was announced on 12 November 2026 by Senator Grace Folashade Bent, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, during a special meeting of the 15th Governing Council. Bent also presented the appointment letter to Patricia and congratulated her on her selection, urging her to remain focused and committed to the responsibilities of the office.

Key Highlights:

• Professor Patricia Lar becomes the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos
• NILDS Director-General Abubakar Sulaiman congratulates Patricia on her appointment
• She will become the university's 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor, with her tenure expected to begin on 1 December 2026

Patricia will succeed Professor Tanko Ishaya, whose tenure concludes on 30 November 2026. She is expected to assume office on 1 December 2026. As the university’s 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor, she will lead its academic and administrative operations, oversee institutional priorities and work towards strengthening its position in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

A Professor of Medical Microbiology, Patricia has built her academic career at the University of Jos, where she joined as a graduate assistant in 1987. Over the years, she progressed through the academic ranks and attained professorial status in 2015.

She pursued her undergraduate studies at Ahmadu Bello University, where she obtained a degree in Microbiology. She subsequently completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Lagos, earning a master’s degree in medical microbiology and a doctorate in Medical Parasitology. She also undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Maryland in the United States under the NIH-Fogarty Fellowship Program.

Her research work focuses on infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and antimicrobial resistance. She has contributed to academic research through more than 40 scholarly publications, reflecting her involvement in medical microbiology and public health-related research.

Alongside her academic work, Patricia has gained experience in university administration and institutional leadership. At the University of Jos, she has served in several administrative capacities, including Head of the Department of Microbiology and Director of Linkages and Collaborations. She also served as Secretary-General of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), contributing to research management and institutional collaboration.

Her leadership experience extends beyond UNIJOS. Before her latest appointment, she served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja, formerly known as the University of Abuja, for a six-month term. The role provided her with additional experience in overseeing university administration and academic operations.

Patricia’s appointment breaks a longstanding leadership barrier at the University of Jos, which has never had a woman serve as its substantive Vice-Chancellor. Her selection also brings her academic and administrative experience to the institution’s highest executive position.

The University of Jos, located in Plateau State, Nigeria, was established in 1971. It is a public university offering programs across various academic disciplines. With Patricia set to take charge from December, her tenure will mark a new chapter in the institution’s leadership.