Our Leadership

Spend your next few years studying at a center of intensive scholarship and taking advantage of our multidimensional academic experience.

Prof. Shishi Zhema

Vice-Chancellor

Professor Shishi Zhema was born in the late 70s in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, to the family of Elder Sanfo Zhema. His academic journey began in Wukari, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and secondary education. He proceeded to Maiduguri, Borno State, and Makurdi, Benue State, for his higher education. Professor Zhema holds a B.A. History, M.A. and M.Sc in International Relations and Strategic Studies and PhD in History, providing a robust educational background for himself.

In 2021, he was announced as a Professor of Diplomatic History by the Governing Council of the Federal University, Wukari, making him one of the youngest professors in Taraba State. His expertise and dedication to the field have significantly contributed to the academic community. Alongside his role at the Federal University, Wukari, he has also served as a visiting lecturer in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Kwararafa University, Wukari and in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies at Taraba State University, Jalingo.

Professor Zhema’s professional journey includes a wide range of responsibilities beyond teaching. He has been a resource person for the Taraba State Action Committee on AIDS under the HIV/AIDS Development Programme, demonstrating his commitment to public health and community service. His experience also extends to serving as a Regional Communication Officer with the Society for Family Health and participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja.

In his administrative capacities, Professor Shishi has held several significant positions. He was a member of the Board of Postgraduate School at the Federal University, Wukari and served as Academic Adviser, Examination Officer, Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations at Kwararafa University and that of History and Diplomatic Studies at FUW. Additionally, he was Deputy Director of Research and Publications at Kwararafa University, Wukari. His leadership skills were further recognized when he was appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kwararafa University, Wukari, after serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences.

A prolific scholar, Professor Zhema has over 60 academic publications to his name, featured in both international and domestic journals. His research contributions have enriched the field of Diplomatic History and have been widely recognised. He has presented his work at numerous conferences, including those held in the Republic of Cameroon, Kenya, and the United States, further establishing his reputation on an international platform.

Professor Shishi’s commitment to education and community development is reflected in his extensive experience, spanning over two decades. He is not only a dedicated academic but also a passionate community mobilizer, always striving to bridge the gap between the academia and societal needs. His efforts in promoting education, health and community engagement have made a significant impact on his local community and beyond.

Beyond his professional achievements, the young Professor enjoys sports, reading and teaching. He is happily married to his adorable wife and together they are blessed with two children. His personal interests and family life play a crucial role in shaping his balanced approach to his career and community involvement.

Professor Shishi Zhema is a distinguished scholar, an experienced university administrator and a committed community development mobiliser. His extensive academic and professional accomplishments, coupled with his dedication to public service and community engagement, make him a prominent figure in the academic and social environment of Southern Taraba, Taraba State and Nigeria at large.

Other Staff

Professionally, Comr. Joshua Nwubu Agya has an impressive career trajectory. He has served at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and as a part-time lecturer for Remedial, Diploma, and Modified Programmes. His administrative prowess was honed during his posting as Development and Establishment Officer at Kwararafa University, Wukari, from 2010 to 2019. His exemplary performance led to his appointment as the acting registrar of the same university, a position he held with distinction and dignity.

Comr. Joshua Nwubu

Acting Registrar

Wesley Clark was named Senior Advisor to the President in May 2018. An expert in corporate law, he teaches a wide range of courses including Contracts, Sales, Closely Held Business Organizations, Publicly Traded Corporations, Mergers & Acquisitions, International Law and International Securities Regulation. 

Contacts:

Kwararafa University

Education for total Development

Before his recent appointment as the Substantive Bursar of Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba State. He has served in several capacities and chaired numerous auditing committees having also held the positions of Accountant 2, Accountant 1, Senior and Principal Accountant and Acting Bursar since he joined the service of the University in 2013. Mr. Khikando’s vision is to work efficiently in a team, maintaining excellent human relations, high integrity, and honesty. He possesses excellent and accommodating skills, the ability to build strong relationships, influence others, and perform well under pressure. A professional accountant with more than ten years of experience in teaching and practice, he holds a professional certification from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). His additional specialties include budgeting, auditing and forensic fraud investigation. Outside of his professional endeavours, Mr. Khikando enjoys reading, teaching, fraud investigation and promoting financial discipline.

Mr. Ali Bako Khikando

Acting Bursar

After graduating from Kempbelle University with a MA in Communications, Harriet Erickson served as the director of Freshman and Transfer Programs before becoming the Vice President for Student Affairs. Holding both a BA and MA degree in Communications from Kempbelle University, Harriet Erikson has spent much of her professional life at the College.

Contacts:

Harriet Erickson

Vice President, Student Affairs

Wesley Clark was named Senior Advisor to the President in May 2018. An expert in corporate law, he teaches a wide range of courses including Contracts, Sales, Closely Held Business Organizations, Publicly Traded Corporations, Mergers & Acquisitions, International Law and International Securities Regulation. 

Contacts:

Wesley Clarke

Senior Advisor to the President

Betty Bowman joined the faculty in 2002, and received tenure there in 2007. Before joining the faculty, she was a visiting assistant professor at Syracuse University College of Law. Prior to that, she was a legal consultant with JPMorgan Chase; a contract attorney for Cravath, Swaine & Moore; and an assistant prosecutor for the Ministry of the Attorney General in Toronto, Canada. 

Contacts:

Betty Bowman

Acting Vice President for Finance

With over four decades of law teaching experience, Johnny Jones is a nationally-recognized constitutionalist who has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the first-ever Pioneer Award for his commitment and dedication to students from the FIU Student Bar Association in 2004. Since then, students have voted him “Professor of the Year” multiple times. 

Contacts:

Johnny Jones

Dean, Diversity and Compliance

Dennis Ruiz was a member of the faculty at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she held the Alvin R. Allison Distinguished Professorship and received every teaching award the law school and the University conferred. She was the Distinguished Fulbright Professor of American Constitutional Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Greece in 1992.

Contacts:

Dennis Ruiz

Acting Vice President of Administration

Vernon Lowe first joined the University in 2006 as Assistant Dean for Academic Support Programs. He served as Assistant Dean until 2013, when he became a full time lecturer at the College. He teaches classes relating to legal theory and reasoning, race and law, gender and law, and in the area of commercial transactions. 

Contacts:

Vernon Lowe

Assistant Vice President for Communications

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