The Directorate of Pre-Degree Programmes of the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was established in March, 2021 and vested with the responsibility of managing all Pre-Degree Programmes in the University. Following its establishment, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kyari Mohammed appointed Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Babagana as the Directorate’s pioneer and substantive Coordinator on 5th March, 2021.
The coordinator is supported by administrative staff posted from the University Registry for day to day running the affairs of the Directorate.
At its establishment, the Directorate was mandated to facilitate the mounting of Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) Programme in the University. Pursuant to that, machinery was set in motion to that effect and approval was given by IJMB for the University to run the programme in 2021 and a unit was established in the Directorate for smooth and successful running of the IJMB programme in the University.
IJMB Programme
The University Pre-Degree Programmes Coordinator is directly responsible to the Vice Chancellor and primarily responsible for the overall management of the IJMB Programme in NAUB centre. He serves as a liaison between the University and the IJMB Head Office at ABU Zaria. The NAUB IJMB Programme is fully affiliated to IJMB ABU Zaria and thus, a Member of the Academic Committee and Governing Board of IJMB. He attends all Board and Committees’ meetings of IJMB at ABU Zaria and ensures that all policies and decisions emanating from the Head office are implemented by NAUB centre.
All activities of the programme takes place at the temporary site of the Universities where the teaching and learning facilities are housed. Apart from the lecture theatre and classes, a fully computerized library with internet access is dedicated solely for the IJMB programme. The Centre boasts of well-furnished laboratories where the Biology, Chemistry and Physics practicals are held in line with the IJMB curriculum. Additionally, the Centre engages the services of competent lecturers in the programme. Also, Geography students embark on fieldtrips as required. The students are assessed regularly to prepare them for the main exams.
The IJMB examination is based on an approved IJMB Syllabus which was produced by harmonizing the contents of the syllabus of former Higher School Certificate, London GCE, Cambridge A-level examinations and the 100-level curriculum of Nigerian Universities.
The IJMBE is a qualifying examination conducted annually, mainly for Advanced Level (A/L) subjects for admission into 200 level (Direct Entry) in Nigerian and foreign Universities. In addition, two Ordinary Level (O/L) subjects (English and Mathematics) are also offered as equivalent to WASC or NECO O-level, for candidates who may be deficient in them. Candidates for examination are presented through affiliated institutions of which NAUB is one of them. Each candidate registering for the IJMBE is expected to offer three (3) combinable subjects at the Advanced Level relevant for pursuance of a university degree on successful completion of the IJMBE programme; and where the need arises; one of the Ordinary Level subjects.
For effective service delivery in terms of teaching, the Management of NAUB constituted a Standing Management Committee on IJMB Programme that reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. The Members of the Committee include:
1.Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) – Chairman
2.Director, Pre-Degree Programmes – Member
3.All Deans of Faculties – Members
4.Director, Academic Planning & Quality Assurance – Member
5.Director, General Studies – Member
6.Chairman, University Exams & Timetable Comm. – Member
7.Registrar – Member
The Terms of Reference of the Committee are:
1.Monitoring and Evaluation of the programme
2.Ensure quality in teaching and adherence to the proper implementation of curriculum
3.Advice on teaching schedules, tutorials and assessment
4.Ensure smooth and orderly conduct of exams
5.Provide feedback on the success or otherwise at the end of each cycle
6.Make any other recommendations for the success of the programme
Since its establishment, the Management of NAUB gives all the support required for the success of its IJMB programme. Specifically, students that are interested are provided accommodation in the University hostels and are provided transportation back and forth between the hostels and the lecture halls. The students also have full access to the university medical and sport facilities.
Since its affiliation in 2021, the NAUB IJMB Centre has successfully presented sizeable number of candidates for the IJMBE. Following the release of the 2022 IJMBE results, all qualified candidates that met up with the NAUB admission requirements and interested in pursuing their desired courses in the University were all admitted.
UNIVERSITY PRE-DEGREE PROGRAMMES COORDINATOR
The University Pre-Degree Programmes Coordinator is directly responsible to the Vice Chancellor and primarily responsible for the overall management of the IJMB Programme in NAUB Centre. He serves as a liaison between the University and the IJMB Head Office at ABU Zaria. He attends all Boards meeting of IJMB at ABU Zaria and ensures that all policies and decisions emanating from the Head office are implemented by NAUB Centre.
UNIVERSITY PRE-DEGREE PROGRAMMES COORDINATOR
Suleiman Abubakar Babagana is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management, Nigerian Army University Biu. He obtained his Bsc in Business Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and his MBA from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. The Coordinator also holds Msc in Social Science Research Methods (Management and Business) from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. He bagged his PhD in Human Resource Management from the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM); the Eminent Management University.
Dr Babagana was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Business Administration & Management since 2000 at Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. He later transferred his service to the Nigerian Army University, Biu in 2020. He has some publications which have been cited severally to his credit and has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences. Additionally, he serves as a Reviewer to some journals.
He held several responsibilities while at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi some of which were pioneer Academic Coordinator of the Polytechnic Consultancy Services Limited, pioneer Coordinator Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) affiliated programmes.
Babagana’s teaching and research interest is in the areas of Research Methods, Management, Human Capital/Resource Management and Performance Management.
| LIST OF STAFF |
||
| S/N | NAME OF STAFF | DESIGNATION/RANK |
| 1 | Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Babagana |
Coordinator |
| 2 | Iranyang Habila Fikyu | Senior Assistant Registrar |
| 3 | Mustapha Hussaini Ajiya |
Admin. Officer |
| 4 | Abubakar Adamu | Admin. Officer |
| 5 | Maryam Ibrahim Iliya | Admin. Officer |