FUGA Begins Five-Year Strategic Planning Retreat, Targets Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth

FUGA Begins Five-Year Strategic Planning Retreat, Targets Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Gashua, Professor Yaqub Ahmed Geidam, has reaffirmed the institution’s determination to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development as the university commenced a three-day retreat to develop its 2026–2031 strategic plan.

The retreat, involving major stakeholders from the university community, aims to produce a comprehensive blueprint to guide the institution’s academic, administrative, and infrastructural development over the next five years.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Adamu Saleh, Head of Information and Public Relations of the university, and made available to journalists in Damaturu on Thursday.

Participants at the retreat include members of the university council, the management team, deans, directors, heads of departments, labour unions, students, and representatives of Flexisaf Edusoft Consult.

Speaking during the opening session, Professor Geidam described the exercise as a critical step toward shaping the future direction of the university.

According to him, the retreat represents a foundation for defining the institution’s priorities, strengthening its identity, and positioning it for greater relevance in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that since assuming office on February 11, 2026, he had embarked on extensive consultations and assessments involving stakeholders, institutional structures, and available resources to better understand the university’s needs and opportunities.

He noted that initiating the strategic planning process within his first 100 days in office was intentional and aimed at providing a clear roadmap for sustainable progress.

Professor Geidam said the university occupies a strategic position in advancing access to quality education while also addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges affecting communities within the Sahel region.

He identified several priority areas expected to shape the new development framework, including the introduction of market-driven academic programmes such as biotechnology, cyber security, information technology, software engineering, entrepreneurship, and Islamic banking and finance.

The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the importance of expanding student enrolment in a structured manner supported by improved infrastructure and enhanced welfare services.

On digital transformation, he emphasised the university’s commitment to modern learning systems through blended learning approaches and the adoption of advanced learning management systems.

Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in his remarks, with Professor Geidam highlighting the institution’s FUGA Green Code initiative as a vital component of its long-term vision due to the university’s location within an ecologically vulnerable environment.

He further called for a results-orientated implementation framework backed by measurable performance indicators, monitoring systems, and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective execution of the strategic objectives.

Professor Geidam stressed the importance of inclusiveness in the planning process, maintaining that the success of the strategic plan would depend largely on how well it reflects the collective aspirations of stakeholders across the university community.

The retreat also attracted several prominent academics and experts, including J. D. Amin, Aliyu Suleiman Kantudu, Mohammed D. Madawaki, Mustapha Bala Abubakar, Halima Idrisa Gambo, Fatima Alfa Tahir, and Hamidu Usman.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the contributions of the participants and resource persons would help produce a practical, forward-looking, and globally competitive strategic document capable of transforming the university.

He urged all participants to contribute meaningfully and approach the assignment with commitment and a shared vision for the institution’s future.

At the conclusion of the retreat, the university is expected to unveil a consensus-driven strategic plan designed to position Federal University Gashua as a leading institution for academic excellence, innovation, and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond.