Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, is the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja. He hails from Angwa-Ogebe in Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.
He obtained a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Political Science from Bayero University, Kano, and the University of Ilorin, respectively. He obtained a PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies from Nasarawa State University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from the University of Ilorin.
He began his public service career as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Ilorin in 2003, rose through the ranks, and served as Acting College Secretary of the College of Health Sciences and later as Faculty Officer of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at different times.
He transferred his services to Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar University), Anyigba, as an Assistant Lecturer in 2009. He was promoted Lecturer II (2012), Lecturer I (2015), Senior Lecturer (2018), and Associate Professor (2021).
He was appointed Professor of Political Science by the Governing Council of the Federal University Lokoja, in 2024.
At the Department of Political Science of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Professor Usman served as the Departmental Secretary, Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, substantive Examination Officer, Student Adviser at various levels, and Postgraduate Coordinator. He also served as Member, Secretary, and Chairman of various Committees under successive administrations in the Department. He served as Head of the Department for four years, during which he initiated reforms that boosted the Post Graduate programme and retained the Department’s Full Accreditation status, achieving an unprecedented 96.4% success rate.
At the Faculty level, he was at various times, Member, Secretary and Chairman of Faculty of Social Science Examination Misconduct Committee, and Member of the Faculty Management Committee. He was also Chairman, Deanship Election Committee of the Faculty for two consecutive terms.
At the wider University level, he was at various times, Member, Secretary and Chairman of E-examination Committee, Deputy Coordinator, Coordinator and Acting Director, General Studies Unit/Directorate, Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Consultancy Services Member of Senate, and Member of Governing Council Representing the Congregation. He also served as Member, Secretary and Chairman of numerous standing and ad hoc Committees of the University.
Usman was appointed by Kogi State Government as Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic on 7th April 2020, confirmed as substantive Rector on 12th February 2021 and re-appointed Rector for second term on 12th February, 2025.
As Rector, he brought dynamism and proactive governance model anchored on digital governance, collaboration, linkage and partnership under a 3-R mantra of “Repair, Reform and Restore”.
It is therefore not surprising that his Midas touch transformed the natural and built environment of the Polytechnic, once described as “a glorified secondary school”, into the best in contemporary higher education standards in Nigeria and beyond over the last five years.
While his impact spanned physical facilities turnaround across all its facets and the best security architecture, the most profound of his achievements are anchored in the delivery of academic excellence.
They are reflected in full accreditation of programmes, the introduction of new programmes, the establishment of quality assurance and research and innovation directorates, the digitisation of result processing, and collaboration with relevant higher institutions and government agencies, among others.
In short, Professor Usman has initiated and implemented far-reaching reforms and reorganisation, which have curbed insecurity, improved quality assurance, restored discipline, and improved the welfare of staff and students in the Polytechnic.
In the area of collaboration, partnership and linkages, he has distinguished himself by expanding the frontiers of academic excellence and service delivery. Under his stewardship, the Polytechnic has fostered robust partnerships with higher institutions and agencies of government, industry players, professional bodies, and development agencies, thereby opening new opportunities for staff development, student exchange, curriculum enrichment, research funding and technological advancement.
He reactivated the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), leading to the successful establishment of the Mechatronic Engineering Technology programme in the Polytechnic.
He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Federal University Lokoja, for running of degree programmes and staff and students exchange for academic advancement.
His commitment to synergy has not only enhanced institutional visibility but also deepened community engagement, promoted innovation, and positioned the Polytechnic as a credible partner in driving sustainable development.
This record of achievement in collaborative enterprise stands as a testimony to his resourcefulness, foresight, and unyielding dedication to institutional growth.
Professor Usman has published numerous articles in reputable local and international journals and has several chapters in edited books to his credit. In addition, he has attended and presented papers at conferences at both the disciplinary and interdisciplinary levels, both nationally and internationally.
He has also delivered lectures and engaged in constructive interactions at several conferences, forums, workshops and symposia
He is a member Political Studies Association, United Kingdom, Member, Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FCIA), Fellow, Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (FABEN), Fellow, Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Educators (FCIEEE) and Member, Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).
He has received over 100 awards from notable and reputable organisations from across the country. The most outstanding include the educational administrator of the year award by the Nigerian Union of Journalists in 2022.
He has never received a query in all the years of his public service.
Instead, he is known for receiving letters of commendation from his employers at all levels, for his commitment and exemplary dedication to duties. These include Letter of Commendation for Vigilant and Diligent supervision of subordinate from the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, as Faculty Officer, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Letter of Commendation from the Governing Council of Kogi State University, Anyigba as Member of the 5-Man E-Examination Team that deployed and successfully domesticated locally made e-examination platform with internally generated resources, Letter of Commendation from the Head, Department of Political Science, Kogi State University, Anyigba for positive contributions as Examination Officer in the aspect of documentation, smooth administration of examinations and prompt computation of results for Senate approval, and Letter of Appreciation from the Vice-Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba for loyalty to the University, diligence, steadfastness and dedication to duty as Dean of Students’ Affairs.
As Rector, Professor Usman received Letter of Commendation from the Governing Council of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja for prudent management of scarce resources leading to the One hundred percent full accreditation results of thirty (30) programmes by the NBTE, proactive security strategies leading to improved security of lives and property of both staff and students and networking with relevant government agencies for funding, leading to expansion of physical facilities on the campus.
In acknowledgement of his outstanding town and gown relationships in the discharge of his duties, he was conferred with chieftaincy titles by notable traditional institutions in the State. He holds the revered chieftaincy title of Oma’Oja Ata Igala with salutation Kooolo!, Otunba Olutaiyese of Ogidi Kingdom, Ijumu Local Government Area, and Olugbo of Okebukun Kingdom, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Professor Usman is known for his one-way loyalty to both his employer and his boss. As a no-nonsense and radical administrator, he is ever ready to bring innovation and radical transformation in any given assignment.
He loves travelling, politicking and playing football.