The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday approved the commencement of academic programmes at the Borno State University, Maiduguri.
Prof. Abubakar Adamu, the NUC Executive Secretary, announced this during the formal presentation of a letter of request by the Executive Governor of Borno State, Gov. Kashim Shettima, in Abuja.
Adamu said that the university was expected to start admitting new students with the hope of graduating them in the next four years.
With this development Borno State University becomes the 44th state government-owned and the 144th in the university system in the country.
“After listening to the passionate speech by his Excellency on the restoration projects in Borno, particularly the reconstruction and the restoration of the structures and infrastructures of education in Borno, it is my pleasure to convey the decision of the National Universities Commission in the letter signed today, Nov. 7, 2016, the recognition of the Borno State University.
“Sequel to the formal presentation of the relevant gazetted law, academic brief and physical master plan and a satisfactory report from the advisory review source assessment visit, Borno State University located in Maiduguri, has been recognised as the 44th state university.
“It is the 144th university in the Nigerian university system,’’Adamu said.
Earlier, Shettima stressed his commitment to invest in education so as to ensure quality and affordable education for the citizens of the state and Nigerians in general.
Shettima said that in the physical development of the university, a contract of N3.4 billion was awarded for the constructions of five faculties.
He listed the faculties to include Science, Social science, Management Science, Arts and Education as well as hostels among other facilities.
Shettima noted that having a standard state university would promote effective learning, adding that the government would not compromise standard.
“ A state university should not be a glorified secondary school.
“ If we are serious about rebuilding and repositioning Borno State for the future, there is need to provide quality and affordable education for our teeming population of uneducated youths.
“We are here to present our letter of request to establish Borno State University, which contains the master plan of the physical development of the university that is already being implemented at a significant proportion.
“We have the intention to request for two more additional establishments by 2017.
According to him, the law has been published in the official gazette of the Borno State Government since April 11, 2013.
He said that it was necessary to put in place facilities and infrastructure before commencing academic programmes. (NAN)