The National Universities Commission, NUC, has accepted the revalidation of Niger State University of Education, Minna, as a university of education.
Acting NUC Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki made the announcement during a visit by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago at the Commission’s offices in Abuja on Thursday.
Maiyaki, who read a letter communicating the approval, stated that the university initially received conditional recognition as a University of Education in 2013, but that some of the prerequisites were never completed by successive Niger State administrations until Bago came on board.
He stated that with the recent development, Niger State University of Education is now fully acknowledged as Nigeria’s 63rd state-owned university.
“It will be recalled that Niger State University of Education, Minna, was recognized as duly established university in the Nigerian University System by the National Universities Commission.
” But that recognition was contingent to a formal concurrent in writing by the incoming administration as of at that time and its willingness to retain the university, but the process was never consummated by the successive Niger State administrations, until this government requested the activation of the NUC earlier recognition of Niger State University of Education, Minna,” Maiyaki said.
The acting NUC boss said the new university was approved following the presentation of relevant documents, including the gazetted University’s Law, academic brief and masterplan.
While saying that the new recognition of the university takes effect from Thursday 28 September, 2023, Maiyaki said other relevant government agencies like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be informed of the new status of the institution.
He, however, urged the governor to uplift the facilities in the new university , adding that the NUC is fully ready to provide the necessary guidance to ensure the institution lives up to expectations.
Earlier, the Niger governor said the visit was to congratulate Maiyaki on his new position as acting Executive Secretary of NUC, as well as to share his passion for the massive development of the education sector in the state.
He said :
“In 2013, my predecessor had come here to convert Niger State College of Education, Minna to university of Education, somewhere along the line, it became a mirage, but with the guidance of Professor Yahaya Kuta, we have come to rekindle that ambition.
” Secondly, the IBB University Lapai is desirous and has applied for Medicine, we want to appeal to you (acting NUC Executive Secretary) to expedite the approvals necessary so we can have the full curriculum for medical studies.
” Thirdly, the Federal College of Education in Kontogora is supposed to be a university of education too, we want to see that become a fruition.
” The Federal Polytechnic in Bida is also desirous to be a degree awarding institution, and a lot of private initiatives have been coming too.”
On funding for the new university, Bago said with the coming into force of Education Trust Fund Law in the state, such issue would not pose a problem.
“Niger State just passed a law on Education Trust Fund, every contract of government, every transaction within the state is charged one percent for Education Fund,” he said.