From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Outgoing Director of the Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Aminu Umar, has presented an account of his four-year tenure, highlighting wide-ranging infrastructural, skills acquisition, and institutional reforms that repositioned the Kaduna centre.
Speaking at his award and send-forth ceremony, Prof. Umar said the period between January 11, 2022, and April 27, 2026, was devoted to “deliberate interventions to expand access, strengthen safety, and make CHRD a hub for practical skills and digital learning.”
He explained that the centre’s infrastructure drive included the construction of three classroom blocks at the NOUN Staff School (NSS), facilitated alongside former Vice Chancellor Prof. Olufemi Peters; a complete overhaul of NSS classroom roofs and administrative offices; renovation of Nursery 2A, 2B, and Primary 1B classrooms; sand-filling of eroded access roads; remodelling of the university and CHRD signages along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway; and the restoration of all seven centre vehicles and the fire truck to full operation through a sustained maintenance regime.
Prof. Umar also disclosed that a community donation was secured from the former Vice Chancellor for the completion of Barakallahu Community Primary School.
On energy and safety, he said CHRD delivered Nigeria’s first solar power system in a public-private school within the host community, ending NOUN Staff School’s dependence on grid and generator power. He added that the centre installed solar street lights, an ice-block/cold room for revenue diversification, and a comprehensive earthing and lightning protection system.
Security, according to him, was strengthened through the installation of CCTV cameras across the Kaduna campus, the recovery of 16 rustled cattle belonging to the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with local vigilantes, and the arrest and conviction of individuals caught vandalising university facilities.
In the area of utilities, he said the centre laid 600 metres of water pipes and installed tanks to provide cleaner water supply to the NOUN Guest House and Water Factory.
The outgoing director placed strong emphasis on skills acquisition and partnerships, stating that CHRD introduced practical training for NSS pupils in electrical installation, plumbing, carpentry, bead making, fashion design, hairdressing, and ICT. He added that the centre also organised exhibitions and produced over 1,000 graduates in partnership with the Centre for Human Resources Development and Empowerment Initiatives (CHRDEI).
He noted that CHRD successfully ran certificate courses in Child Care, Caregiving for the Elderly, Electric Vehicles and Auto Diagnostics, and Procurement Management, with the Elderly Care programme made compulsory for 200-level nursing students.
According to him, memoranda of understanding had also been signed for additional programmes in ICT, fashion design, carpentry at Fiditi, Oyo State, and a Diploma in Security Management in Port Harcourt. He added that several other partnerships were awaiting management approval, including collaborations with EMVC on electric vehicle infrastructure and Hempawa Consult in Lagos.
Prof. Umar further highlighted digital transformation and revenue reforms, noting the digitisation of NSS attendance through biometric systems, approval of 24-hour internet services for all units, and the restructuring of the NOUN Guest House, Water Factory, and Skills Unit to improve internally generated revenue.
He stated that the centre launched a tree-planting campaign in partnership with the Forestry College, Mando, to promote environmental sustainability, while incentive-based payments and quality control inspections were introduced at NSS to boost staff productivity and learning standards. He also cited the annual Inter-House Sports Competition and several corporate social responsibility projects as evidence of improved staff welfare and community engagement.
Prof. Umar expressed appreciation to the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, for approving the renewable energy (solar power) system for the NOUN Staff School within a short period in office.
He also commended former Vice Chancellors and Deputy Vice Chancellors of the university for providing the platform that enabled CHRD’s growth and transformation.
The outgoing director thanked the university management, staff, students, and host communities for their support, saying the partnerships and programmes initiated were designed to outlive his tenure.
He expressed confidence that pending MoUs with institutions such as the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, and Graade Academy Kaduna would further expand CHRD’s reach across Nigeria.
“What we have done is lay a foundation for a centre that trains, protects, and innovates,” he said, while urging his successor to consolidate on the achievements recorded.
Also speaking, the Acting Director of CHRD, Dr. Amos Iliya, said the event was organised entirely by a group of staff without direct involvement from the directorate, describing it as evidence of initiative and commitment among personnel.
He commended the organisers, noting that the gathering reflected how ideas conceived by staff could translate into meaningful actions that support the growth of the centre.
Dr. Iliya stated that Prof. Umar’s tenure had ended as he moved to another assignment, adding that the transition was part of the natural cycle of public service.
He recalled that his first encounter with the outgoing director was in January this year following an introduction from the university headquarters, noting that the warm reception he received had been instrumental since assuming office. According to him, public service requires readiness to serve wherever one is posted, often without prior expectation.
Praying for Prof. Umar’s success in his new role, Dr. Iliya said the outgoing director had played his part in the service of the university. He expressed hope that the collaborative spirit demonstrated by staff in organising the send-forth ceremony would continue, stressing that such engagement would strengthen the directorate’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony and delivered goodwill messages included Dr. Babangida Iro, Director of Kaduna Study Centre; Mr. Gbenga Olufemi, Deputy Director, CHRD; and Maryam Usman Kida, Deputy Registrar.