The Pro-Chancellor is the Chairman of Council. The Council is charged with the responsibility for control and superintendence over the policy, finances and property of the University.  The Council also lays broad guidelines for the management of the affairs of the University. The Pro-Chancellor chairs Council meetings and some of the statutory Committees of Council.

The Pro-Chancellor shall, in relation to the University, take precedence before all other members of the University, except the Chancellor and except the Vice-Chancellor when acting as Chairman of Congregation or Convocation. 

The first Governing Council constituted for the University in 1990, had late Major General Emmanuel O. Abisoye (Rtd), as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. 

The current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 9^th Governing Council of the University of Abuja is Professor Ahmad Muhammad Modibbo.