Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly known as Kogi State University, is a state-owned institution located in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. It was established in 1999 by then-governor Prince Abubakar Audu. Initially named Kogi State University (KSU), it was later renamed in 2020 by Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to honor the late founder, Prince Abubakar Audu.
Key Information
- Motto: Knowledge for Self Reliance
- Type of Institution: Public University
- Year of Establishment: 1999
- Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Marietu Tenuche
- Location: Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
Historical Context and Labor Dispute
In 2017, PAAU (then KSU) faced a significant labor dispute when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on strike due to unpaid salaries. The state government, under Governor Bello, urged lecturers to return to work, threatening to declare their positions vacant. After continued resistance from ASUU, the governor banned the union from the university.
Faculties and Programs at PAAU
Prince Abubakar Audu University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses through its seven faculties:
Faculty of Agriculture
- Agricultural Economics & Extension
- Crop Production
- Animal Production
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Soil & Environmental Management
- Food Science & Technology
- Home Science
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- History and International Studies
- English and Literary Studies
- Theater Arts
- Arabic
- Philosophy
Faculty of Law
- Common Law
- Islamic Law
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Mass Communication
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Geography and Planning
Faculty of Education
- Mathematics Education
- Chemistry Education
- Physics Education
- Biology Education
- CRS Education
- Islamic Education
- Library and Information Science
- Human Kinetics and Health Education
- Social Studies Education
- Economics Education
- English Education
- Geography Education
Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences & Statistics
- Pure and Industrial Chemistry
- Physics
- Plant and Biotechnology
- Geology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Animal and Environmental Biology
- Computer Science
Faculty of Management Sciences
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Public Administration
- Business Administration
Certified Courses and Expanding Facilities
PAAU offers a comprehensive curriculum across a variety of disciplines, including Microbiology, Law, Computer Science, Geology, Business Administration, and more. The university’s programs are 98% certified by the National Universities Commission (NUC), demonstrating its commitment to academic excellence.
Originally, PAAU started with six faculties, and academic activities began in April 2000. The university has since expanded, adding a Faculty of Medicine, which includes extensive office and laboratory facilities.
Pre-Degree and Diploma Programs
Under its current management, PAAU has introduced a Center for Pre-Degree and Diploma Studies. This center offers preparatory courses that help students transition to full degree programs. Students in the pre-degree program can gain direct admission to degree courses if they pass internal exams, without needing to take the Post-UTME.
Campus and Expansion Plans
PAAU operates from a single main campus in Anyigba, housing all its faculties and programs. However, there are ongoing discussions about decentralizing some faculties, particularly the College of Medicine, and relocating them to other parts of Kogi State to promote regional development.
Conclusion
Prince Abubakar Audu University is a respected public institution known for providing quality education across various fields, including agriculture, law, management, and the natural sciences. With a strong focus on academic excellence and practical learning, PAAU remains a center of knowledge and innovation in Kogi State, Nigeria.
