The University of Ibadan (UI) has appointed Mrs Mariam Zakariyah, Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), as the first female Bursar in the history of the 78-year-old institution.

In a statement, the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Mrs Joke Akinpelu, disclosed this yesterday.

The Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who described the appointment of the first female Bursar as a reflection of the institution’s enduring tradition, culture and commitment to excellence, said, “The process that produced the new Bursar was fair and devoid of gender or religious bias.

“The university was founded on an enduring tradition of excellence, which had continued to shape its institutional values and operations.”

Adebowale, however, commended the immediate past Bursar, Adewuyi Popoola, for maintaining the university’s financial stability throughout his tenure.

He said the university had established a tradition of smooth transition, describing it as one of the sources of its institutional strength.

The vice-chancellor said that Zakariyah’s appointment marked a significant milestone in the institution’s history, stressing that the university’s standing is determined not only by its physical structures but also by how it conducts its affairs and upholds sound values.

Responding, Zakariyah expressed appreciation to the VC for ensuring a fair and seamless appointment process.

She pledged to lead the Bursary in fulfilling its mandate and ensuring effective service delivery.

The new Bursar also promised to deploy her expertise to justify the confidence reposed in her and to solicit the continued support of the university management.