Mr. Bello Adamu Umar, Deputy Registrar, Wigwe University Mr. Bello Adamu Umar is an accomplished university administrator, professional economist, and former banking executive with a distinguished career spanning over 25 years across academia, public service, banking, and development sectors. His remarkable journey from grassroots education administration to high-level university leadership is a testament to his commitment, resilience, and dedication to service. He currently serves as the Deputy Registrar at Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, Nigeria, where he plays a vital role in laying the administrative foundation for one of Nigeria’s most ambitious private universities. Mr. Umar began his academic journey in Yola, Adamawa State, where he attended Karewa Primary School before moving on to Government College Bauchi for his secondary education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Bayero University, Kano in 1999, and later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Modibbo Adama University, Yola in 2007. His thirst for knowledge and professional growth has driven him to pursue continuous training in leadership, governance, education management, and financial systems. Mr. Umar’s administrative expertise has been shaped by years of leadership in top Nigerian universities. Before joining Wigwe University, he served as Deputy Registrar at Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, where he oversaw central administrative functions and deputized the Registrar across academic, council, and student affairs matters. His most enduring legacy, however, was built at Federal University Wukari, where he spent over a decade (2012–2024) rising through the ranks to become Deputy Registrar. There, he successfully handled multiple portfolios including: • Establishment and Council Affairs • Examinations and Records • Personnel and Pension Administration • Investment and University Governance He was severally entrusted with acting responsibilities in the absence of the substantive Registrar—over 18 times between 2021 and 2023—a clear indication of institutional trust in his competence and integrity. Now, at Wigwe University, Mr. Umar leads a team that oversees: • Academic administration • Admissions and enrollment • Examination coordination • Policy development • Registry operations • Marketing He is a member of key university committees, including the Admissions Committee, Examinations Committee, and Ad-Hoc Committee on Staff Policy Review, where he contributes to foundational policy development and strategic planning. Mr. Umar’s versatility is anchored in his early career outside the university system. He spent eight years in the Nigerian banking industry, where he held senior positions at Stanbic IBTC Bank and FinBank Plc, including that of Branch Manager and Relationship Manager. His roles covered credit analysis, risk management, customer service, and team leadership. His background in banking honed his analytical skills, organizational discipline, and understanding of complex financial systems—qualities he now brings into university administration. In the early 2000s, he served as a Project Accountant with the International Islamic Relief Organization / Family Health International, working on a USAID-funded project. His strong ethics and financial management skills were pivotal in driving transparency and efficiency in donor-funded initiatives. Throughout his career, Mr. Umar has been recognized for outstanding contributions. His commendations include: • Certificate of Dedication by Stanbic IBTC for successful merger transition (2008) • Letters of Commendation by the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Wukari (2018 & 2019) • Recognition by the Registrar of Federal University Wukari for proactive service (2020) He holds membership in several professional bodies: • Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) • Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (IPMA) • Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) • Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN) A lifelong learner and capacity builder, Mr. Umar has attended and facilitated over 30 trainings, seminars, and workshops, covering areas such as: • University governance and policy • Personnel and records management • Credit risk and financial systems • Public speaking and interpersonal effectiveness • Ethics, leadership, workplace safety, and mentoring He has also authored scholarly and professional papers on: • Bank failures and financial crises in Nigeria • Money laundering and the role of regulatory institutions • Ethics, personal development, and team building in university settings Beyond the office, Mr. Umar has played vital roles in shaping institutional policies, chairing disciplinary committees, advising on staff recruitment and promotions, and leading investigations with transparency and fairness. His work has left a legacy of trust, structure, and accountability in the institutions he has served. Mr. Umar is known for his humility, sense of duty, and deep-rooted ethical values. A native of Taraba State, he is fluent in English, Hausa, and Fulfulde, and is a proud family man, married with four children. Outside work, he enjoys praying, reading, playing chess, and spending quality time with his family. At Wigwe University, Mr. Umar envisions an administrative system that is student-centered, technology-driven, and globally competitive. With his complimentary roles ass a Deputy Registrar and an overseer of the Department at the moment, the Registry is being transformed into a strategic engine room for institutional planning, policy implementation, and academic excellence. As Wigwe University rises in reputation and reach, Mr. Umar’s vision, experience, and dedication will remain pivotal in ensuring the institution’s success, credibility, and impact.