Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu has officially assumed office as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS) following a handover ceremony held at the central administration block on the Tamale campus on Monday, June 29, 2026.
In his farewell remarks, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, advised his successor to remain principled in the discharge of his duties, emphasising that integrity and adherence to the University's core values are essential to successful leadership.
In his response, the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, pledged to operate an open-door policy, assuring members of the University community of an inclusive, consultative and transparent administration that will work closely with all stakeholders to advance the growth and development of UDS.
The hand over to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor followed an earlier directive from the regulator, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
Prof Seidu Al-hassan was said to be still staying in office as of Sunday, June 28, 2026, post the appointment of a new substantive Vice Chancellor in the person of Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, whose appointment took effect on June 27, 2026.
Graphic Online understands that this prompted the regulator, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to formally write to him, indicating that such actions undermine the effective administration of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
He was therefore directed to hand over with immediate effect to the newly appointed Vice Chancellor and provide evidence of the same to the Commission.
He was also advised that failure to do so may compel the Commission to "revoke his post-retirement contract award."
Prof Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, the newly appointed and current Vice Chancellor, has also been reminded of the consequences of vacation of post for a continuous period of five working days as stipulated by the Public Services Commission (PSC),
Following the directive, Graphic Online understands Prof Al-hassan on Monday morning handed over.
Professor Seidu Al-hassan was the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the UDS.
He is a native of Jisonaayili, a suburb of Tamale and a Professor of Agricultural Economics. He is also an Educationist.
Prior to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, he served Pro Vice-Chancellor of UDS from 2015 to 2019.
Prior to that he was Head of the Department of Food Security and Climate Change and Director of the Institute for Continuing Education and Interdisciplinary Research (ICEIR) of the University for Development Studies for the period August 2010-November, 2015.
He studied Economics (1989-1993) at the University of Cape Coast and took a Master’s Degree in Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon (1994-1996) and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Economics (2004) at the University of Ghana.
Professor Al-hassan's area of specialisation is Resource Use Efficiency, Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood and Environment and Climate Change.
He was appointed Commissioner on the National Development Planning Commission (2015-2017) and represented UDS on the Stakeholder Coordinating Committee of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). He is currently the Chairman of Northern Region Sports Committee (2021).
Professor Seidu Al-hassan's relationship with UDS began in 1996 as a Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Economics and Entrepreneurship Development. In 1997, he was appointed a Lecturer in the same Department and later became a Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor in 2008, 2014 and 2018, respectively.
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