Ngas Community Honours Unijos VC, Prof Tanko Ishaya, as Five-Year Tenure Enters Final Stretch–
….Dakwom Makpring Longgul reports from Jos, Nigeria
As the curtain gradually winds down on his five-year stewardship as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya has been conferred with a prestigious recognition by the Ngas community of staff in the University of Jos.
With his tenure officially drawing to a close in November 2026, the event brought together university dons, community leaders, and associates to reflect on an administrative era that redefined institutional culture and resource management within the University of Jos.
Speaking during the ceremony, one of the worthy sons of Ngas community in the University gave poignant tribute that captured the essence of Prof. Tanko’s administrative doctrine.
According to one of the professors,
” the Vice-Chancellor defied the prevailing trend common among institutional heads across Nigerian tertiary institutions, choosing austere discipline over the trappings of power. “In contrast, Professor Tanko used the inherited vehicle of his predecessor, Professor Sebastian Maimako, for nearly three years. At a point, he even relied on his wife’s official vehicle, despite having the statutory leverage to draw whatever he wanted from university coffers.”
The community elder, who commended the Vice-Chancellor for his deep humility and unwavering administrative support, noted that Prof. Tanko’s hallmark was not merely fiscal prudence, but also an approachable leadership style that prioritized service delivery and staff welfare above personal luxury.
In his emotional response, Professor Tanko expressed profound gratitude to the UNIJOS Ngas community, recalling his enduring affinity with the ethnic group dating back to his early educational days.
“This award has truly humbled me, and I want to thank you most sincerely for finding me worthy of such an honour,”
the Vice-Chancellor stated.
“Simply deeming me worthy of being invited to share in your annual cultural celebration is something I appreciate from the bottom of my heart.”
Reminiscing on his longstanding ties with the Ngas people, Prof. Tanko humorously recounted being christened with the Ngas name Ritji during a reception organized by the community shortly after his appointment as Vice-Chancellor.
He underscored his deep ties with childhood friends, including his secondary school classmate Iliya Ayuba, as well as distinguished Ngas academics and professionals within the university community.
Highlighting some of his formative milestones at the institution, the Vice-Chancellor paid tribute to personnel within the university’s Directorate of ICT and administrative arms, specifically acknowledging Mr. Joel Gogwim for his relentless technical support and candid work ethic during his earlier tenure as Director of ICT.
He similarly acknowledged the groundbreaking collaboration with Professor Gushit, former Director of General Studies (GST), which birthed the successful implementation of computer-based testing (CBT) at the university—a paradigm shift that has since become an indelible standard.
As Professor Tanko Ishaya prepares to bow out of the Naraguta campus, the Ngas community’s accolade stands as a testament to an administrator whose tenure will be remembered for institutional resilience, infrastructural modesty, and bridge-building across communal lines on the Jos Plateau.
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