The University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, has appointed Professor Patricia Lar as its first female Vice-Chancellor, ending 51 years of male leadership at the institution.
Her appointment was announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Grace Folashade Bent, during a special meeting of the 15th Governing Council.
Lar becomes the university’s 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor, succeeding Professor Tanko Ishaya, whose five-year tenure began on December 1, 2021.
Bent presented her appointment letter and charged her to remain committed to the responsibilities of the office.
A Professor of Medical Microbiology, Lar joined UNIJOS as a Graduate Assistant in 1987 and became a professor in 2015.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, obtained in 1986, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Lagos, earned in 1989 and 1998 respectively.
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In 2005, she undertook postdoctoral research at the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States.
Her previous positions at UNIJOS include Head of the Department of Microbiology, Project Director of the Jos-Carnegie Partnership Project and Acting Director of Linkages. She also served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, from February to August 2025.
Her appointment followed a selection exercise involving seven senior academics, who presented their plans for the institution at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the university’s Advancement Office and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Lar inherits challenges involving infrastructure, academic development and student welfare, including accessibility for students with disabilities.
Established as an independent university in October 1975, UNIJOS began as a campus of the University of Ibadan in November 1971. Professor Gilbert Onuaguluchi was its pioneer Vice-Chancellor.
Lar’s emergence marks the first time a woman will lead the university in its 51-year history.