ABUJA — The academic community of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has been thrown into mourning following the transition of a distinguished scholar and veteran unionist, Professor Abu Mallam.
The University announced that the Professor of Geophysics passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, following a brief illness.
A Career of Firsts
Professor Mallam was not just a faculty member but a cornerstone of the institution’s history. As a pioneer staff member of the Department of Physics, he was instrumental in laying the foundational stones of scientific inquiry at the “University for National Unity.”
His journey in the academia began in Kaduna State, where he served at the College of Education, Gidan-Waya, Kafanchan. In 1994, he transferred his services to the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II. Through a combination of rigorous research in subsurface structures and a commitment to pedagogy, he climbed the academic ranks, attaining the position of Professor in 2010.
A Titan of ASUU
Beyond the laboratory, Professor Mallam was a formidable voice in the struggle for improved welfare in the Nigerian university system. He served two terms as the Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UniAbuja Branch. His leadership extended to the national stage as a former Zonal Coordinator of the ASUU Abuja Zone, where he was known for his firm stance on academic integrity and institutional autonomy.
Administrative Legacy
Throughout his three-decade tenure at the University, Professor Mallam held nearly every major administrative mantle, including:
- Dean, Faculty of Science
- Acting Dean, Students’ Affairs
- Head, Department of Physics
- Director of Sports
Colleagues describe him as a “bridge-builder” who balanced his roles as a stern academic and a compassionate mentor. His research in Geophysics, particularly in groundwater exploration and seismic studies within the Federal Capital Territory, remains a reference point for scholars in the field.
In a statement, the University noted that Professor Mallam would be “greatly missed for the meaningful role he played in the growth of the University.” Burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
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