FUEP REJIGS NON-TEACHING STAFF CAPACITY, TIES INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH TO ROLES, GOVERNANCE, AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
By Emmanuel Yatai
July 08, 2026
PANKSHIN — The Federal University of Education, Pankshin, FUEP, has moved to strengthen its administrative core with a one-day capacity workshop aimed at clarifying structures, roles, and responsibilities for non-teaching staff.
Held Wednesday in the university auditorium, the training brought together key principal officers and external resource persons to reposition FUEP for its ambition of becoming a top-tier university.
Declaring the workshop open, Vice Chancellor Prof. Noel Wannang said no university can thrive on academics alone. Represented by Prof. Dung Dauda, Dean, College of Sciences, Wannang noted that the real strength of an institution lies in its offices, laboratories, libraries, health centre, and the staff who keep them running.
He described the theme, “Roles and Responsibilities within the University System”, as timely. “A great university is built on order, accountability, and mutual respect. When we understand our roles and the regulations guiding us, we serve better and protect our integrity,” Wannang said.
He urged staff to embrace FUEP’s university status and its attendant standards, warning that the institution differs from a College of Education and must therefore operate by a stricter “modus operandi.”
Registrar Mr. Longton Yadok told participants that global recognition now hinges on physical structures and service delivery — areas largely driven by non-teaching staff.
“Universities are not built by lecturers alone. While lecturers shape minds, non-teaching staff sustain the system that makes learning, research, and innovation possible. You are the custodians of records, policies, and processes,” Yadok said.
He added that FUEP’s university status grants it more autonomy to design unique, competitive courses that set it apart.
In a paper titled “Administrative Structures, Processes and Procedures in University Setting”, former University of Jos Registrar, Mr. Monday Danjen, broke down the university’s chain of command.
He said the Governing Council remains the apex decision-making body, chaired by a Pro Chancellor appointed by the President. The Council includes the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal Ministry of Education representative, five external members, four Senate reps, and two from Congregation. The Chancellor serves in a ceremonial capacity.
According to Danjen, the V-C serves a five-year term as Chief Executive and Academic Officer and reports to Council. DVCs serve two-year terms on the V-C’s recommendation. The Registrar, also Secretary to Council, Senate, and Convocation, the Bursar, and the Librarian are all appointed for five-year terms through advertisement and interview. Deans, HODs, and Directors constitute the extended management.
The Senate, he added, is the second-highest body on academic matters, chaired by the V-C and comprising all Professors, Deans, Directors, HODs, the Librarian, and two representatives from each faculty.
Also at the workshop, Alh. Kabiru Aminu, Registrar of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, spoke on “Application of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Managing Conflicts within a University Setting.” He was represented by Murtala Garba.
Aminu defined EI as the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and apply emotions to solve problems. He listed flashpoints in universities to include student protests, staff union actions, cultism, exam malpractice, sexual violence, leadership tussles, and communication breakdowns — all of which can disrupt academic calendars or force closures.
“EI leaders must get to the root of a problem, listen without interruption, read tone and body language, and respond with empathy, trust, and transparency,” he advised.
Closing the workshop, Yadok thanked participants and facilitators, expressing optimism that the new knowledge on chains of command and staff responsibilities would translate into better service delivery and help FUEP attain its top-tier target. (NAN)
