Lar was appointed the university’s 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by its Governing Council, succeeding Professor Tanko Ishaya.
A Professor of Medical Microbiology, Lar brings extensive experience in university governance, research management and institutional administration to the position having previously served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, formerly the University of Abuja, where she was appointed in February 2025 for a six-month tenure.
Background
Born on January 1, 1964, in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Lar developed an academic career rooted in science and higher education.
She attended St Theresa Girls Primary School in Jos before proceeding to Gindiri Girls High School, where she obtained her General Certificate of Education in 1981.
She subsequently attended the School of Basic Studies in Zaria, where she studied Chemistry, Physics and Biology at A-level and in 1986, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Following her National Youth Service Corps programme in the former Gongola State, now Adamawa State, Lar began her academic career in 1987 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Jos.
She later proceeded to the University of Lagos for postgraduate studies, obtaining a master’s degree in Medical Microbiology in 1989 and a PhD in Medical Parasitology in 1998.
Between 2003 and 2005, she undertook further professional development at the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, United States, under the National Institutes of Health-Fogarty AIDS International Training and Research Programme.
Her academic progression at UNIJOS saw her rise through the ranks to become an Associate Professor in 2012 before attaining the rank of Professor of Medical Microbiology in October 2015.
Research and Academic Contributions
Lar’s academic work has focused on medical microbiology and parasitology, fields concerned with microorganisms, infectious diseases and parasites affecting human health.
She has published more than 34 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, according to a 2025 profile, and has supervised more than 100 undergraduate research projects alongside several postgraduate dissertations and doctoral theses.
Her research and academic contributions have been accompanied by extensive involvement in professional associations, research collaborations and postgraduate training.
She belongs to the Nigerian Society for Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, and the Third World Organisation of Women in Science.
She has also served as Secretary-General of the West Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), an organisation focused on strengthening research management and innovation systems across the region.
Her international academic engagements have taken her to several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, France and South Africa.
Administrative Experience
Between 2008 and 2013, she served as Project Director and Chairperson of the Projects Management Committee of the University of Jos-Carnegie Corporation of New York Partnership Project. The initiative focused on strengthening the university’s institutional capacity, research infrastructure and administrative systems.
During her tenure, she worked with university management and other stakeholders on projects that included the digitisation of student records, improvements to transcript processing, development of the university’s research policy and establishment of its Office of Research and Development.
Between 2013 and 2017, she served as Director of Linkages at the University of Jos and was also the Head of the Department of Microbiology for two terms. She also served as Head of Microbiology at Plateau State University, Bokkos, during a sabbatical appointment.
In February 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed Lar Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, subsequently renamed Yakubu Gowon University. She was given a six-month mandate following a period of leadership and governance challenges at the institution.
During her tenure, Lar undertook consultations across the university’s faculties and engaged staff and student representatives on issues affecting academic and administrative operations.
In an address to the university’s Senate, she identified delayed staff promotions, personnel shortages, inadequate student accommodation and weaknesses in the university’s digital portal system as some of the challenges requiring attention.
She also emphasised the need to restore confidence in university governance, improve academic standards and promote tolerance among members of the university community.
