The Dean Faculty of Physical sciences interacts with Unimaid Bulletin

Interview with Professor Ibrahim Baba Goni, Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences

As part of efforts to raise awareness about the activities of faculties, units, departments, and directorates within the university, UNIMAID Bulletin interviewed the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences,  Professor Ibrahim Baba Goni on March 7, 2025, in his office at Faculty.

Q: Please introduce yourself, Sir.

A: I am Professor Ibrahim Baba Goni from the Department of Hydrogeology, University of Maiduguri. I joined the university as a Graduate Assistant in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2009. Since then, I have been engaged in teaching and research, publishing extensively in both national and international journals.

I obtained my first degree from UNIMAID, followed by my Master’s and PhD in France, completing my doctorate in 2003. After returning, I continued my academic career and was elected Head of the Department of Geology in 2005, a position I held until 2010. Over the years, I have collaborated on research projects with institutions across Europe, America, and Africa. I am also a National Expert in Water Resources at the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Niamey, which involves multiple countries in the Lake Chad region.

In October 2023, the Faculty of Science was divided into two: the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Following this restructuring, I was elected as the first Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences. This new role has come with significant challenges, particularly the lack of dedicated office space for the faculty’s administration. Currently, all faculty activities, including this interview, are being conducted from my office, which was originally designated for academic affairs. I am appealing to the university management to provide an appropriate faculty office to facilitate smooth administration.

Q: The Faculty of Physical Sciences is expanding rapidly. Can you share some updates?

A: Yes, despite being a new faculty, we are experiencing rapid growth. We started with five to six departments, and more programmes are being introduced. For instance, the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programme has been established in the faculty under a programme coordinator, with the potential to develop into a full-fledged department.

Additionally, two new programmes—Forensic Science and Toxicology—were introduced in the 2024/2025 academic session. These programmes, currently housed under the Department of Chemistry, also have the potential to evolve into independent departments. The faculty plays a critical role in servicing other disciplines, including Engineering, Agriculture, and Medicine, particularly in foundational courses at the 100 and 200 levels in Physics and Chemistry.

Q: What have been your key achievements as Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences?

A: The faculty is growing steadily, and we are making efforts to improve administrative processes, including student enrollment and academic record-keeping. One of our major initiatives is the planned restructuring of the Department of Physics, which will introduce new specialized programmes such as Medical Physics and Nuclear Physics.

Our goal is to modernize the faculty and align with global trends. We want to ensure that our students are well-prepared for emerging opportunities. We also encourage our staff to actively engage in research, national and international conferences, and collaborations to enhance the university’s reputation and global ranking.

Q: What are the major challenges facing the faculty?

A: The biggest challenge is inadequate office space. A dedicated faculty complex is essential for efficient administration. Additionally, like other faculties, we require a utility vehicle to facilitate movement and support faculty activities.

Another pressing issue is the lack of a permanent Faculty Officer. The previous Faculty Officer was approved for sabbatical leave, and we are currently operating with an acting officer. I appeal to the university management to appoint a new Faculty Officer to ensure the smooth running of faculty administration.

Q: What is your appeal to the university management?

A: I urge the university management to assist in securing a faculty complex that will accommodate the Dean’s office and other administrative units.

Additionally, we need support to develop our seminar and conference services, where staff members can present research in their areas of specialization. However, these initiatives are limited by funding. We also require computers, projectors, and audio-visual equipment to enhance academic activities and research presentations.