History was made at the University of Ibadan on 9th July, 2026. After 78 years of existence, Nigeria’s premier University has appointed Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah, FCA (nee Adegbite) as its 10th Bursar and the first woman to hold that office. It is a moment worth pausing for, not just to celebrate a person, but to reflect on what this appointment says about institution-building, excellence and the future of public service.
This is a story of quiet and excellence. Mrs Zakariyah’s journey is not an overnight success. It is the story of 25 years of steady and unblemished service.
Born 19 October, 1975, she joined the Bursary Department on 29th August, 2000 as a young officer in Loans & Advances. From there, she rose through every rank on merit: Senior and Principal Accountant, Finance Officer across Faculties and the Postgraduate School (now Postgraduate College), Chief Accountant and Deputy Bursar (Treasury Office).
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She succeeds Mr Adewuyi Popoola, a decent human being. Omoluabi ni Mr Adewuyi Popoola! UI’s history will be kind to you, Sir!
Each step was earned. Each role came with new responsibility and she met it. In an era where public institutions are often criticised for inefficiency, she chose to build systems.
Born and raised at Abadina/Agbowo, the University of Ibadan staff community to the late Alhaji Adegbite of blessed memory, a long-serving UI staff whose name adorns the major road opposite the University main gate. Mariam is a true daughter of UI. She is married to Dr Nurain Adesina Zakariyah, General Manager of Flour Mills, Gbagada, Lagos, and they are blessed with four adorable children.
Her record as the Deputy Bursar speaks louder than any title. She digitised the Receivable Unit with an e-receipt system that cut paper use by 80% and plugged revenue leakages; she cleared financial statement backlogs from 2016 to 2019 and institutionalised tax compliance so thoroughly that regulatory queries stopped; through proactive GIFMIS monitoring; she ensured staff salaries were paid within 48 hours of fund release; and she navigated the complex NELFUND refund crisis and facilitated the procurement of West Africa’s only JOEL JEM 1400 TEM Microscope, saving the University millions.
These are not ceremonial achievements. They are the unglamorous, daily work of keeping a 78-year-old institution solvent, credible and functional.
Why does this appointment matter? First, it matters for women in leadership. For too long, the highest financial office in UI was seen as a male preserve. Mrs Zakariyah breaks that ceiling not with rhetoric, but with a CV that cannot be ignored: Ph.D. in view in Accounting, MBA Accounting & Finance, M.Sc. Accounting, B.Sc Economics, HND & ND Accountancy and Fellowship of ICAN. She was the Overall Best Graduating Student in Accountancy at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the record, which my Auntie, Mrs Bola Oyekunle, one of her lecturers in that institution told me, and a SWAN Award for Woman of Excellence recipient in 2020. Merit made this possible. Second, it matters for Oyo, Ogun and Nigeria. An indigene of Abeokuta South, Ogun State, but born in Ibadan, her entire professional life has been in service to the University of Ibadan. She represents the idea that talent can come from anywhere and serve everywhere. Third, it matters for public institutions. Her appointment sends a clear message to every young accountant, auditor and administrator in our universities: stay, work and build. Promotion can still be about competence, not connection.
The Office of the Bursar is a statutory top management position that oversees the accounting books and financial management of the University. It manages billions in personnel, overhead, capital, IGR, grants and donor funds. It interfaces with TSA, GIFMIS, REMITA, CBN, NRS and countless stakeholders. The expectations will be high. But if her past is any indication, Mrs Zakariyah is prepared. Colleagues describe her as meticulous, innovative and people-oriented. A leader who listens, who builds systems and who mentors the next generation.
She becomes the 10th Bursar in UI’s history. From the pioneer, G.I.B. Allport (1948-1963), through H. Preston, J.O. Famakinwa, P.O. Omoregie, J.O. Alao, Alhaji J.A. Bankole, I.O. Aponmade, Dr. M.A. Alatise to Mr Adewuyi Popoola, the Bursary has been the financial backbone of UI. Mrs Zakariyah now takes her place in that distinguished lineage.
The University of Ibadan has chosen substance over symbolism. It has chosen a leader who knows the ledgers, knows the people and knows the institution from the ground up.
As UI clocks 78, this appointment feels like a renewal. A reminder that our great institutions can still reward hard work, still promote women and still choose reformers.
Congratulations, Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah. May your tenure deepen transparency, strengthen accountability and inspire a new generation of public servants.
I am proud of you! UI is proud of you! Nigeria is watching! Another Nigeria’s female Minister of Finance in the making. The work begins now!
Tunji Oladejo, mnipr, JP, MANUPA, mspsp, writes from the University of Ibadan, is the Chairman of The Progressive Forum, Ibadan (TPFI); and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bayo and Bimpe Oyero Foundation (BBOF) and the 2026 Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Icon of Ibadan Heritage Awardee via oladejo65@gmail.com. 08077284442
