By Barth Ikiebe
The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) has appointed renowned academic and international scholar, Assoc. Prof. Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed, as the new Director of its Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CAI), in a move aimed at strengthening the institution’s capacity in emerging technologies, research and innovation.
The appointment was approved by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, and announced in the institution’s bulletin dated June 19, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring and repositioning of key academic and administrative units.
Assoc. Prof. Mohammed’s appointment follows his successful stint as Deputy Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, a position he assumed about six months ago. His elevation is attributed to his outstanding performance and effective implementation of the institution’s artificial intelligence initiatives and policies.
The Tsaragi-born scholar is widely respected in academic and professional circles for his contributions to geosciences, energy studies and technological innovation.
He holds a Ph.D. in Development and Exploitation of Oil and Gas Fields from Khazar University, Azerbaijan, and another Ph.D. in Geology from Gideon Robert University, Zambia. His extensive academic training and international exposure have earned him recognition as a respected researcher, academic administrator and expert in geosciences and emerging technologies.
A native of Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mohammed is the son of Dr. M. N. Haruna, a retired Director in the Presidency, former Director of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) in Kwara State, and former Commissioner for Works, Commerce and Industry in the State. He obtained a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree in Geology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, before earning a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Petroleum Geosciences from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
In 2015, Mohammed joined Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos, where he worked on seismic data from the Taranaki Basin in New Zealand, a project that formed a significant component of his master’s research in Petroleum Geosciences.
Over the years, he has published more than 25 scholarly articles in reputable local and international journals, building an impressive profile as a researcher and academic administrator.
Before returning to Nigeria, Mohammed spent several years teaching and conducting research at universities abroad, gaining valuable international experience in higher education, research and innovation management. Beyond academia, he also served as Senior Special Assistant on Solid Minerals Development during the first tenure of the Governor of Kwara State, contributing to policy development and the advancement of the state’s mining sector.
His appointment is expected to further accelerate FULafia’s drive to become a leading centre for artificial intelligence, digital transformation and technology-driven research in Nigeria and beyond.
In a related development, Prof. Kida also approved the reappointment of Prof. Victor S. Dugga as Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) for a second term of two years.
Also reappointed were Prof. Dalhatu Musa Yusha’u and Prof. Mohammed E. Binin as Deputy Provosts of the College of Postgraduate Studies for Humanities and Sciences respectively, each for a two-year tenure.
In another major appointment, Prof. Joseph D. Zira was named Provost of the College of Health Sciences for a two-year term, while Dr. Jude Ndubuisi Chima was appointed Deputy Provost of the College for a one-year tenure.
The university said the appointments form part of ongoing efforts by the administration to strengthen academic leadership, improve institutional efficiency and reposition the institution for greater excellence in teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.
FULafia Gets New Director for Centre for Artificial Intelligence
