30/08/2026
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMS UNIMAID PRINTING PRESS FROM REDUNDANCY TO A REGIONAL HUB
In what can only be described as a masterclass in institutional administration and strategic revenue generation, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, has quietly but forcefully spearheaded a massive revitalization of Unimaid Ventures Limited. Serving as the Chairman of the venture, the Vice-Chancellor’s apex leadership has catalyzed a sweeping transformation, most notably within the University Printing Press. Once plagued by obsolete equipment, unconducive working conditions, and financial losses, the Unimaid Press has now been aggressively repositioned into a highly profitable, modern-facility-driven press, poised to dominate the printing market in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria.
Shedding light on this phenomenal turnaround, the Acting Managing Director of Unimaid Ventures Limited, Professor Opeyemi K. Akinniyi, a distinguished Professor of Accounting and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), detailed the extent of the Vice-Chancellor’s strategic interventions during a recent media parley.
Recalling the state of the facility prior to the current administration's intervention, Professor Akinniyi noted that the Printing Press was a shadow of its potential. When she assumed office as the Acting Managing Director, the facility was not in good shape, with virtually all the air conditioners broken and the environment largely unconducive for members of staff. Furthermore, most of the machines were classified as dead or beyond repair. However, following a strategic interaction with Professor Mele, the narrative changed entirely. Driven by an inspiring vision to make the facility the best in the region, the Vice-Chancellor immediately committed significant resources to an aggressive infrastructural and technological overhaul.
Today, the working environment has been completely transformed. Close to fifteen air-conditioning units have become functional, alongside optimal lighting systems to ensure maximum productivity. Beyond aesthetics and comfort, the Vice-Chancellor authorized a massive technological upgrade that has brought the facility firmly into the digital age. The Computer-to-Plate (CTP) machine, which had been dumped and abandoned, was fully repaired, meaning the University no longer needs to outsource plate preparation to external vendors.
With the old Direct Imaging (DI) machine declared absolute scrap, the Vice-Chancellor also approved the procurement of a brand-new DI machine capable of handling high-definition, glossy printing. To complement this, the Press is taking delivery of an electronic, modern-day stitching machine, finally replacing a relic that had been in use since 1985. Deliveries of a new hot glue machine and advanced book-binding equipment are equally underway. Among new machines expected to be delivered In addition to these upgrades, is a new electronic foil blocking machine has been procured to seamlessly and digitally brand student project covers, and customized crafts directly from a personal computer, effectively abandoning the tedious, old-fashioned manual character arrangement.
Perhaps the most significant administrative victory for the Vice-Chancellor in this sector is the total domestication of the University's examination materials. Aided by a newly acquired numbering machine, the UNIMAID Printing Press is now producing all the examination booklets of the University internally. Professor Akinniyi stated meekly that no percentage of the examination booklets are being produced outside anymore. By halting the outsourcing of these vital materials, the Mele-led administration has aggressively blocked financial leakages, saving University of Maiduguri millions while massively boosting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Despite the aggressive drive for internal revenue, Professor Mele has ensured that the facility retains a human face, particularly concerning student welfare. As part of the upgrades, new high-capacity photocopy machines were procured strictly to serve the student population at highly subsidized rates. While external business centers charge exorbitant fees, the University Printing Press charges students a mere token of twenty Naira per page, whether running on public power or generators. The objective here is not to make sheer profit, but to break even and recover costs while making life significantly easier for the students.
Looking ahead, the Acting Managing Director expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Chairman and expresses with absolute confidence that with the arrival of the new DI, Speed Master and binding machines, the UNIMAID Printing Press will soon dominate the commercial printing landscape of the North-East. By eliminating the need for clients to travel to other states for high-quality printing, the University is strategically positioning itself to capture lucrative regional printing contracts.
Furthermore, the Directorate of Media and Information can now look forward to a seamless partnership with Unimaid Printing Press. Assuring the Public Relations unit of their capacity, Professor Akinniyi confirmed that the Press is fully equipped to produce the University’s official bulletins and magazines with the highest possible glossy output, meeting global corporate standards. Driven by the Vice-Chancellor's unwavering support, the morale among the printing staff is currently at an all-time high. The older generation of technical staff has shown renewed commitment, pledging to not only meet but surpass the Chairman's expectations.
Through Unimaid Ventures Limited, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele is proving once again that with visionary leadership, accountability, and strategic investments, the University of Maiduguri’s internal assets can be transformed into robust engines of economic sustainability and institutional pride.