SSANU women seek more women as university principal officers

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called for deliberate strategies to position more women for leadership and decision-making roles in universities across the Northwest.

Hajiya Hauwa Danbatta, Zonal Women Coordinator, Northwest Zone of SSANU, made the call at a two-day zonal women conference of the association in Zaria

Danbatta said the theme of the conference, “From Support to Strategy: Elevating Women in University Governance,” was timely and deliberately designed to challenge women to move beyond traditional support roles.

She said socio religious norms and values in northwest had continued to restrict many women from active participation in union activities, affecting their visibility and progression into leadership positions.

“The socio religious norms and values restrict many women from active participation in union activities, hence the choice of the conference topic,” Danbatta said.

She said the conference was designed to energise women working in universities to identify and showcase their leadership strengths while positioning themselves for greater participation in decision-making.

“Going forward, we want to see more women taking leadership roles as principal officers of the universities, such as registrars, bursars and even vice chancellors.

“We will strengthen awareness through conferences and workshops, in addition to strategic collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders in the sector,” she said.

According to her, the objective is not merely to increase the number of women in universities but to ensure their visibility, influence and adequate representation at decision-making levels.

Danbatta said women were already contributing significantly to university development through their roles in different departments, professions and levels of administration.

“Women can never be strangers to the development of the universities; we work in different departments, at different levels and indeed in all professions.

“We contribute to policy implementation; we provide essential services every single day, yet the journey from participation to leadership remains a challenge,” she said.

She stressed the need for intentional leadership development, mentorship and acquisition of leadership skills to prepare competent women for greater responsibilities across universities.

Danbatta also called for an enabling environment where competent women would be encouraged, mentored and prepared to assume leadership responsibilities.

She said the conference was therefore aimed at inspiring women to strategically position themselves for leadership roles and contribute more effectively to the transformation of university governance.

Earlier, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, commended the SSANU zonal women wing for sustaining the tradition of bringing women from universities within the zone together to reflect on their place in the system.

Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bello Sabo, said women in academic and non-academic cadres had for decades contributed significantly to university administration, student welfare, finance and registry services.

He, however, observed that despite their contributions, women remained underrepresented in spaces where strategies and policies were formulated and budgets prepared and approved.

The vice-chancellor said the distinction between support and strategy was important because universities depended on decisions on programmes, staff promotion and policies, among others.

He said elevating women into strategic roles would strengthen universities by bringing their experience, judgement and insight into institutional decision-making.

Malam Sabo Wudil, National Vice-President, Northwest Zone of SSANU, said the conference was part of the association’s constitutional responsibility to organise conferences and workshops for members.

He said the programme was designed to equip and enlighten women to prepare adequately for leadership positions in the university system.