Prof AbdelGaffar Amoka AbdelMalik is the new Coordinator of Ahmadu Bello University Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Unit.
A statement from the Public Affairs Directorate Office of the VC said Amoka, who is the immediate past Director, ABU Equipment Maintenance and Development Centre, replaces Prof Rabiu Nasiru, who completed his tenure as the university SIWES Coordinator.
The new SIWES Coordinator is a distinguished scientist, teaching and conducting research at the Department of Physics.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, approved Prof Amoka’s appointment in a letter dated 17th August, 2026.
The appointment, which is with effect from 17th August, 2026, is for a period of two years, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance.
Amoka is expected to overhaul and strategically realign the SIWES unit by transforming and turning it into a digital-first and quality-assured industrial skills and career readiness hub.
The Vice-Chancellor said the University SIWES Unit was created to coordinate students’ industrial training across government agencies, parastatals, and private enterprises to ensure high graduate employability.
Prof Ahmed however said operational audits had revealed serious challenges in the scheme.
He lamented that students routinely undertake placements outside their fields of study, fail to attend their industrial training, or submit fraudulent logbooks with unearned supervisor endorsements.
“To correct these deficiencies, Management has approved a total overhaul and strategic realignment of the SIWES Unit.
“You are being appointed to lead this transformation, turning the unit into a digital-first, quality-assured Industrial Skills and Career Readiness Hub”, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also said Amoka’s appointment was a testament to his proven track record, administrative capability, and professional integrity.
He expressed confidence that the new coordinator would bring his wealth of experience to bear in restoring integrity, quality, and value to the university SIWES programme.