By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) has announced the historic appointment of Prof. Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde (née Olagoke) as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET).
A native of Offa in Kwara State, Nigeria, Prof. Surajudeen-Bakinde becomes the first woman to hold this position in The Gambia’s public higher education system.
“Prof. Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde (Nee Olagoke), from Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, attended Offa Grammar School and later earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Ilorin (Unilorin). In her later years, she became a professor at the same University. She completed her PhD at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, in 2010. Prof Surajudeen-Bakinde is a registered Engineer with Nigeria’s Council for the Regulation of Engineering. She has a Certificate in Advance Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP) at Grenoble School of Management, Grenoble, France.
“Prof. Surajudeen-Bakinde was an Assistant Director (Administration) at the Centre for International Education, a representative of the faculty of Engineering and Technology on the Academic Planning and Curriculum Committee, a member of the Mock Accreditation Committee, and a Senate Representative on the Research Grant Committee at the University of Ilorin.
“Prof Nazmat was the head of Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) committees, such as FETiCON24, Alumni Committee, Welfare Committee, and Ethical Review Committee. She was a Postgraduate Coordinator, a Head of Department, and a Member of the Quality Assurance Committee in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
“Prof. Nazmat is an active member of professional associations, including the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. She also advocated for girl-child education and founded a non-governmental organization, MINWAMAH Support and Care Foundation, which supports and empowers widows and orphans through donations from generous people.