SSANU Women Seek Greater Participation in University Governance

By Idris Umar, Zaria

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), North-West Zone, has called for greater participation of women in university governance and decision-making, urging female staff to build their capacity and acquire the qualifications required for leadership positions.

The call was made at the 2026 SSANU North-West Zonal Women Conference, held at the Yusuf Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

The conference, which brought together SSANU women from universities across the North-West, was held under the theme: “From Support to Strategy: Elevating Women in University Governance.”

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Professor Adamu Ahmed, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Bello Sabo, said the university was pleased to support the conference because it provided an important platform for women to share ideas and contribute to improved productivity and effective university administration.

Professor Sabo commended SSANU for organising the conference, assuring the association of the university’s continued support for initiatives aimed at empowering women and enhancing their participation in institutional governance.
Also speaking, the SSANU National Vice-Chairman, North-West Zone, Comrade Sabo Balarabe Wudil, said the organisation of training and enlightenment programmes for women was part of the union’s constitutional responsibility to build the capacity of its members.

He stressed that women aspiring to leadership positions within the university system must equip themselves with the necessary qualifications and satisfy the requirements outlined in the scheme of service and conditions of service.

According to him, appointments and leadership positions in universities are guided by established criteria, merit and, in some cases, appointment procedures, making it necessary for women to adequately prepare themselves to take advantage of available opportunities.
Wudil added that the conference also provided an avenue for women to discuss challenges affecting their participation in trade union activities and leadership, including cultural and religious considerations that may discourage some women from becoming actively involved.

The SSANU North-West Zonal Women Coordinator, Comrade Hauwa Abdullahi Danbatta, said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to address challenges that continue to limit women’s participation in union activities and university decision-making, particularly in the North-West.

She identified cultural and religious practices, as well as limited exposure, among the factors affecting the participation of some women, stressing that the conference was designed to sensitise female staff about their capabilities and encourage them to demonstrate their intellectual and leadership potential.
Danbatta called for continuous motivation and stronger collaboration between women and university authorities to create opportunities for qualified female staff to participate in leadership and decision-making.

In his remarks, the Chairman of SSANU, ABU Branch, Comrade Shuaibu Ahmed Halilu, described ABU’s hosting of the conference as significant, given the university’s longstanding influence and mentorship role among institutions in the North-West and beyond.

He said the conference offered participants opportunities to acquire new knowledge through paper presentations, plenary sessions and technical sessions, adding that the lessons gained could contribute to their professional development and career advancement.

Halilu also recalled that ABU had demonstrated its commitment to promoting women’s representation by appointing a woman to its Governing Council.
He urged other universities to provide similar opportunities for qualified women to contribute to institutional governance and decision-making.

The conference ended with participants deliberating on strategies to strengthen women’s participation, leadership capacity and representation in university governance across the North-West.