By Fawaz Balogun

The University of Ibadan has appointed Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah as its 10th Bursar and first female to occupy the position.

Mrs Zakariyah assumed office on Monday, September 21, 2026, following the approval of her appointment by the University’s Governing Council at its meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2026. Her tenure will run for five years.

According to a statement signed by the University Registrar, G. O. Saliu, Mrs Zakariyah joined the University’s Bursary Department on August 29, 2000, as a Higher Executive Officer (Accounts) in the Loans and Advances Section.

“She subsequently rose through the ranks, serving as a Finance Officer across various faculties and the Postgraduate College before becoming Chief Accountant at the Treasury Office. She was appointed Deputy Bursar in 2019” the statement added.

The statement described her career progression as one marked by “dint of hard work and professionalism,” noting that she consistently demonstrated her capacity in the various responsibilities assigned to her.

“She oversaw financial operations across several faculties, institutes, and departments, ensuring effective financial control, reporting, and service delivery,” the statement said.

It added that Zakariyah had contributed to financial reforms at the University, including the digitisation of the Receivable Unit through an e-receipt system.

“She digitized the Receivable Unit with an e-receipt system that cut paper use by 80% and blocked revenue leakages,” the statement said.

She also coordinated the clearance of financial statement backlogs from 2016 to 2019 and institutionalised tax compliance, which the University said significantly reduced regulatory queries.

Through proactive monitoring of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), Zakariyah also ensured that staff salaries were paid within 48 hours of the release of funds.

The statement further credited her with navigating the NELFUND refund issue and facilitating the procurement of the JOEL JEM 1400 Flash Transmission Electron Microscope, which it described as West Africa’s only such equipment.

Zakariyah has served on several institutional committees, including the Bursary Management Committee, University Finance Management Committee, Postgraduate School Procurement Committee and the Finance Management Committee of the Board of the Postgraduate School.

She has also participated in the Budget Monitoring Committee of Council, Finance and General-Purpose Committee of Council, Council Sub-Committee on Audit Matters and Final Accounts Stakeholders’ Meetings.

Prior to her appointment, Zakariyah received several academic and professional awards. She was the Overall Best Graduating Student in Accountancy at The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1998 and received the Best Graduating Female Accounting Student Award from the Society for Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) the same year.

She also received the Best Student Award from the National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students (NAPAS), The Polytechnic Ibadan Chapter, in 1998.

Zakariyah became an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2002 and a Fellow of the institute in 2014. She also received the SWAN Award for Woman of Excellence in 2020.

She holds a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from The Polytechnic Ibadan, a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, an MBA and an M.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Ibadan, as well as a Diploma in Information Technology from HiiT Plc, Ibadan.

The Registrar described Zakariyah as a professional who “approaches her responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and a strong sense of accountability,” adding that her working style combines professional ethics with emotional intelligence.