A high-powered delegation of Registrars from fifteen Nigerian universities, led by Dr. Ahmed II Bala Isyaka, Chairman of the Registrars of Nigerian Universities, the Association of Nigerian Universities (ANU) per se, visited Kenyatta University (KU) on Wednesday, 12th November 2025 for a benchmarking and knowledge-sharing engagement.
The delegation was warmly received by Prof. Sauda Swaleh, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, who represented the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Registrar, Research, Innovation and Outreach. Prof. Swaleh extended the University’s appreciation to the visiting team, emphasising KU’s commitment to strengthening collaboration within the African higher education space through shared learning and institutional linkages.
This visit marked the second Nigerian delegation to benchmark at Kenyatta University within the year, following an earlier visit in July, affirming KU’s growing reputation as a model institution in: academic administration, governance, and innovation-driven management.
The programme featured engaging presentations from key University Directorates and Offices, including the Centre for International Programmes and Collaboration (CIPC), the Directorate of Endowment and Alumni Programmes (EAPD), the Legal Office, Human Resource, and the Directorate of ICT. The session was moderated by Prof. Alphonse Wanyonyi, Head of Teaching Programmes.
Each presentation offered deep insights into KU’s operational model, how administrative systems, academic structures, and governance frameworks interact seamlessly to uphold excellence.
- The CIPC team shared on KU’s broad network of international partnerships, over 100 collaborations globally, including five Nigerian institutions, some represented within the visiting delegation.
- The EAPD presentation impressed visitors with KU’s innovative approach to alumni engagement and student financial empowerment, prompting discussion on how Nigerian universities could adopt similar student loan and reinvestment models.
- Human Resource and ICT teams jointly addressed data protection and digital transformation, outlining the University’s adherence to global standards in safeguarding staff and student records through automation and policy integration.
- The Legal Office and Labour Relations units highlighted KU’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms, explaining how the Standing Committee on Conflict Resolution fosters dialogue and prevents administrative or staff disputes from escalating.
During the interactive question-and-answer session, delegates expressed keen interest in how KU maintains cohesion between academia and administration – often seen as competing spheres in many institutions. KU’s integrated governance model, anchored in shared decision-making and transparency, was cited as a best practice.
Other queries touched on the management structure, the distinction between roles of the Chief Finance Officer and the Registrar (Administration and Finance), as well as policies on inclusivity, ethnicity, and gender representation in both student admissions and staff recruitment. KU’s commitment to equitable opportunity and institutional ethics drew strong commendation.
The visitors were particularly intrigued by KU’s iconic Campanile, whose resonant hourly chime symbolises the University’s discipline and heritage – a detail that left them captivated by KU’s cultural and architectural identity.
In her remarks, Prof. Swaleh reaffirmed KU’s openness to partnerships that enhance research, innovation, and academic mobility across Africa. She noted that such visits are critical in building a connected, competitive, and collaborative higher education ecosystem on the continent.
Beyond administrative exchange, the delegation also explored possibilities for joint training programmes, exchange visits, and digital governance initiatives – with interest in integrating KU’s Kiswahili Department’s cultural orientation courses to ease international students’ social integration in Kenya.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Bala Isyaka lauded Kenyatta University’s professionalism, organisational harmony, and inclusive leadership. He expressed heartfelt appreciation, commending the University for “embodying the true African spirit of knowledge-sharing and institutional excellence.”