The Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has congratulated Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah, FCA (née Adegbite), on her historic appointment as the 10th Bursar of the University of Ibadan, making her the first woman to head the Bursary Department in the institution’s 78-year history.
The organisation also rejoiced with the University of Ibadan community and the people of Oyo and Ogun states over the appointment, describing it as a significant milestone that underscores the power of diligence, competence and the eventual reward of dedicated service.
Mrs Zakariyah’s appointment, which took effect on July 9, 2026, marked a historic first for Nigeria’s premier university.
Born on October 19, 1975, and raised in Abadina, the University of Ibadan staff community, Mrs Zakariyah is regarded as a true daughter of the institution. She is the daughter of the late Alhaji Adegbite, after whom the major road opposite the university’s main gate was named.
She began her career in the University of Ibadan Bursary on August 29, 2000, as a young officer in the Loans and Advances Unit. Over the past 24 years, she rose through the ranks on merit, serving as Senior Accountant and Finance Officer across various faculties and the Postgraduate School before becoming Chief Accountant and, most recently, Deputy Bursar in charge of Treasury.
Her years of service have been marked by what the organisation described as quiet but significant reforms.
Mrs Zakariyah introduced a merit-based receipt system that reduced paper usage by 80 per cent and closed loopholes in revenue collection. She also cleared years of backlogged financial statements and treasury tax compliance issues.
Through diligent monitoring on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), she ensured that staff salaries were paid within 48 hours of the release of funds.
She also guided the university through the complex Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) refund process and played a key role in securing West Africa’s only JOEL JEM 1400 TEM microscope for the University of Ibadan.
According to the campaign organisation, these achievements go beyond titles, representing the daily and painstaking decisions required to keep a major institution financially solvent and credible.
Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, described in the statement as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in 2027 and a worthy alumnus of the University of Ibadan, hailed the appointment as a proud moment for Oyo State and Nigeria.
“I heartily congratulate Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah on this well-deserved elevation,” Alli said.
“This is a victory for merit, for women, and for our state. Her journey from Abadina to the headship of the Bursary proves that hard work still counts in our public institutions.
“For 24 years, she has served UI with distinction, and I am confident she will bring the same integrity, innovation and accountability to this new responsibility.
“As we work to build an Oyo State that rewards competence, this appointment gives us hope. May her tenure deepen transparency and inspire more of our young women to dream bigger.”
Alli noted that the significance of Mrs Zakariyah’s appointment goes beyond her individual achievement, saying it has broken a long-standing ceiling in university administration.
He said her emergence also affirmed that an indigene of Abeokuta South, born and raised in Ibadan, could rise to the top through dedicated service.
According to him, the appointment sends a clear message to young accountants, auditors and administrators across Nigerian universities that they should remain committed to building their careers because excellence will eventually be recognised.
As Bursar, Mrs Zakariyah now assumes responsibility for the financial stewardship of an institution that manages billions of naira in personnel costs, capital expenditure, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), grants and donor funds.
The position also requires regular interaction with the Treasury Single Account (TSA), GIFMIS, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
While acknowledging the enormity of the responsibility, the organisation said Mrs Zakariyah’s colleagues have described her as meticulous, innovative and people-oriented, as well as a builder of systems and a mentor to the next generation.
The Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation joined the University of Ibadan community, the government and the people of Oyo State in celebrating the historic achievement.
The organisation prayed that Mrs Zakariyah’s tenure would strengthen accountability, expand transparency and add another proud chapter to the history of the University of Ibadan.
“Congratulations, Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah. UI is proud of you! Oyo State is proud of you! Nigeria is watching,” Alli concluded.
The statement was signed by the Barrister Sharafadeen Alli (BSA) Campaign Organisation, Oyo State.
