Staff of Bingham University showered encomiums on the  Vice Chancellor Prof. William Barnabas Qurix during the valedictory general staff meeting with all cadre of staff in attendance for his transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to the institution.

Addressing the staff, Prof. Qurix went down memory lane on the challenges faced when he assumed office in January 2018.He said the  university was marred by financial woes , governance challenges  and a looming withdrawal of its license which at the time required drastic measures.

 Prof. Qurix stated that a comprehensive plan of action, including financial restructuring through a loan swap with ECWA Portfolio and a focus on academic excellence was set in motion.

He stated that the journey from "Old Bingham" to the revitalized "New Bingham" was achieved by strategic planning to include restoration of the University’s image among ECWA members, the establishment of additional faculties and programmes which led to a robust increase in student enrollment, payment of all outstanding salaries and pension liabilities, successful collaborations and partnership with national and international organizations, infrastructural development and reduction in debts amongst others.

The institution's debt burden, which stood at N13 billion, was reduced to about N2 billion leading to a remarkable turnaround.

 Prof. Qurix added that the University witnessed unprecedented growth, with the student population soaring from 2500 in 2018 to over 7,000 undergraduate and 2000 posgraduate  students in 2023.

Prof. Qurix stated that despite facing challenges such as COVID-19, security concerns, financial constraints, and infrastructure inadequacies, the university demonstrated resilience. Bingham University was the first university to move to online teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown. Collaborating with security agencies, implementing strategic financial planning, and undertaking infrastructural developments were among the proactive measures taken to overcome these obstacles.

Looking to the future, Prof. Qurix emphasized the importance of team work in maintaining the trajectory of growth and excellence. He challenged the Bingham University community to hold themselves accountable for the institution's continued success, urging support for the incoming leadership.

 Prof. Qurix expressed deep appreciation to the Management and the university community for their dedication and efforts in restoring the institution's image.

In response, members of the University Community from various quarters, including Congregation representative to Council, and Deputy Registrars amongst others, expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor. They were unanimous in lauding his exemplary leadership, describing him as not only  a dedicated and hard working professional but also a compassionate father figure who has mentored virtually every member of staff as evident in the work ethic of the so many staff he has worked with and impacted on. Speaker after speaker wished the Vice-Chancellor  success in his future endeavors as he prepares to bow out of office on the 8th of January 2024.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dul Johnson who delivered the vote of thanks expressed deep appreciation to Prof. Qurix for his unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in  working towards restoring and enhancing the image of the university. He highlighted the transformative impact of Prof. Qurix's leadership, recognizing the strides made in academic excellence and infrastructural development.

The common saying on Campus, 'Prof. Qurix, came ,saw and conquered' came alive as the atmosphere was filled with deep appreciation to an erudite scholar and an astute university administrator who through his leadership has transformed the landscape of Bingham University and its standing in the Community of Universities.