The Institute of Administration has had a glorious beginning. Founded in 1947 as a Clerical Centre, the Institute of Administration is the oldest Institute of Higher Learning in West Africa devoted to the teaching of Administration, Management, Accounting and Law to the present time. In the 1950s to 1960s, the Institute was proudly referred to as a venture, which gave lead in Africa, south of the Sahara.
In October, 1962 the Institute was incorporated into the mainstream of the University with its mandate as enshrined in the Statute of Ahmadu Bello University Laws (Chapter A14 LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGEIRA, Revised edition Act 2004). The Institute houses; Faculties of Administration and Law and the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies. It has from the date of its incorporation, developed into an Institution with functions as an Institute for, Undergraduates and Postgraduates Studies, Research as well as an in-service training Centre for Certificate and Sub-degree courses. The Faculties consist of Departments of Public Administration, Local Government and Development Studies, Islamic Law, Public Law, Commercial Law and Private Law, etc.
The University is in the process of creating more Departments to create and generate knowledge as well as accelerate development in the North, Nigeria and beyond. The Institute has two Main Governing organs; the Board of Governors and the Professional and Academic Board (PAB) as provided for in the Statute.
To be a world class training Institute capable of providing necessary and robust facilities that guarantee and support conducive atmosphere for teaching, learning and research at sub-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The Institute of Administration is part of Ahmadu Bello University and functions under a Board of Governors and a Director. Membership of the Board consists of:
The functions of the Board may be summarized as laying down policy and providing general guidance and review of Institute’s activities. The Director is the Administrative head of the Institute and he is deputized by a Deputy Director. A Professional and Academic Board, being chaired by the Director and consisting of Deans and Directors, Departmental heads, etc. exercises general supervision over the academic and research activities of the Institute.
The Administration has grown tremendously over the years and now has staff strength of 261 academic staff which includes 50 fully fledged professors, 16 Readers, 40 Senior Lecturers, 38 Lecturer I, 29 Lecturer II, 62 Assistant Lecturers, 27 Graduate Assistants, 83 Senior Technologist/Technical Staff, 36 Senior Administrative and 7 Junior Staff in the Nine Departments.