* Says appointment reflects diligence, integrity and professionalism
PHF also congratulated the University of Ibadan Muslim Community, describing Zakariyah’s emergence as a source of joy and pride for Muslims within and beyond the institution.
The Oyo State Chapter of the Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria (PHF) has congratulated Alhaja Maryam Adetoun Zakariyah on her historic appointment as the first female Bursar of the University of Ibadan, describing her emergence as a testament to diligence, integrity, professionalism and dedicated service.
The organisation said Zakariyah’s appointment to head the Bursary Department of Nigeria’s premier university for the first time in its 78 year history should inspire young women, profe
ssionals and members of the Muslim community to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator of Sisters Circle, Oyo State Chapter of the foundation, Hajia Zaynab Oladipupo, on Thursday, july 23.
The foundation expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for Zakariyah’s appointment and prayed for divine guidance as she assumes one of the most strategic administrative offices in the university.
“We extend our warmest congratulations to Alhaja Maryam Zakariyah on your well deserved appointment as the Bursar of the University of Ibadan.
“Your appointment is a fitting reward for years of diligence, integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence. It is also a source of pride and inspiration to the Muslim community and to all who believe in the values of hard work, sincerity and dedicated service,” the statement read.
Historic milestone
Alhaja Zakariyah’s appointment was approved by the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan on July 9, 2026, making her the first woman to head the institution’s Bursary Department since the university was established in 1948.
Her emergence ended nearly eight decades of male leadership in one of the university’s most important administrative offices.
She succeeds as the university’s 10th substantive bursar and will oversee the institution’s financial management, including personnel costs, internally generated revenue, grants, donor funds, capital projects and compliance with government financial regulations.
A career built on excellence
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Zakariyah began her career at the University of Ibadan on August 29, 2000, when she joined the Bursary Department as an officer in the Loans and Advances Unit.
Over the past 24 years, she steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Senior Accountant, Finance Officer in several faculties and the Postgraduate School, Chief Accountant and Deputy Bursar in charge of Treasury before her latest appointment.
During her years of service, she played key roles in strengthening the university’s financial management system.
Among her notable contributions were the introduction of a merit based receipt system that reduced paper usage and blocked revenue leakages, the clearance of longstanding financial statement backlogs, improvements in treasury tax compliance and salary processing through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System.
She also contributed to the university’s management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund refund process and supported the acquisition of the JOEL JEM 1400 Transmission Electron Microscope for academic research.
Alhaja Zakariyah is also regarded as a product of the University of Ibadan community, having grown up within the university environment at Abadina.
PHF offers prayers
The foundation prayed that Allah grants the new bursar wisdom, sound judgment and strength to discharge the responsibilities of her office successfully.
“As you begin this important chapter, we pray that Allah blesses you with wisdom, sound judgment, strength and divine guidance.
“May He make your tenure fruitful, grant you success in every endeavour and enable you to leave a lasting legacy of excellence and impactful service,” the statement added.
PHF also congratulated the University of Ibadan Muslim Community, describing Zakariyah’s emergence as a source of joy and pride for Muslims within and beyond the institution.
The organisation expressed confidence that her wealth of experience, commitment to accountability and professional competence would further strengthen the university’s financial administration while inspiring more women to aspire to leadership positions through hard work and integrity.
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