President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the Federal University Kachia, which he signed into law and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), will commence academic activities in September 2025.
Tinubu also ordered the Federal Government to take over Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and transform it into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
Following the President’s directive, which comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of the privately owned NOK University to the Federal Government, the private institution is now named Kachia, Kaduna State, in fulfilment of a promise made to the people of Southern Kaduna.
Speaking during the formal handover of the institution’s property and assets to the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, said the event signifies the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and national development.
He said, “This is an excellent day for the country and Kaduna State. The most outstanding credit should go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for driving the process and making it the first item on the agenda of the Federal Executive Council.
“General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) quoted Martin Luther King Jr. as saying, ‘People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.’ I dare to add another quote by the same Martin Luther King Jr. where he said: ‘We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.’
“We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.”
The Vice President also paid tribute to those instrumental in the transition process, including General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs, and Senator Sunday Marshall.
“I want to particularly appreciate my Lord, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who has been unwavering in his commitment to fostering peace and progress in this region. Our engagements with General Agwai, Justice Akaahs, and Senator Marshall were all geared towards making this a reality. Today, we celebrate the outcome of those efforts,” he said.
Assuring the immediate commencement of the institution’s operations, VP Shettima said, “The President has already directed the Minister of Education to ensure that the university is captured in the 2025 budget so that by September, it can admit its first set of students.”
Beyond education, VP Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in Southern Kaduna, particularly in road construction.
“The governor is already making significant progress in reconstructing key roads in the region. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to complete the governor’s efforts by awarding contracts for the construction of some of the major roads in the region,” he added.
On his part, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, thanked President Tinubu for the realisation of the dream to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, describing the signing ceremony and handover of property for the takeoff of the institution as a great day for the people of the state and Nigerians at large.
Governor Sani reserved special commendations for Vice President Shettima, whom he described as a strong pillar of support for his administration and the people of Kaduna, particularly for the actualisation of the Federal University of Applied Sciences project.
He said the peaceful coexistence enjoyed across Kaduna and its environs and the inclusion of all interests in the state are entrenched as a deliberate policy of his administration, assuring that “we will continue to run Kaduna in an inclusive manner where the interests of all are taken into consideration.”
Also speaking, the Senator representing Kaduna South senatorial district, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, thanked President Tinubu for assenting to the establishment of the institution, saying, “The positive impact of the decision will benefit millions in our region, the country, and the world for generations to come.”
Senator Katung, who presented the bill for establishing the university in the Senate, said, “We are excited that our vision for a world-class institution of higher learning in Southern Kaduna has been recognised and endorsed. We are eager to embark on a journey that has eluded us for decades.
“This university will provide access to quality education, create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and contribute to our community’s social and cultural fabric. This is the vision that Mr. President has set in motion today, and we look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to bring it to life.”
On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the establishment of the university as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s dedication towards expanding the nation’s human capital and capacity development.
He said, “Today demonstrates another evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima’s benevolent belief in quickly expanding Nigeria’s human capacity development in education, health and social welfare protection.”
For his part, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayode, said that in pursuit of their mandate, the court had granted the institution a judgment for the final forfeiture of the entire assets of the university, comprising academic buildings, a water factory, an international hotel, and an event centre.
“We are here under the resolution of the Federal Executive Council on February 4, 2025, to hand over the university’s property for the use of the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, said the day is “a very special day to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the great honour done to the people of Southern Kaduna.”
According to him, the President has repeatedly shown love and commitment to the region and the country. “This is a Nigerian project, not only for the people of Kaduna; the University will enhance the capacity of all Nigerians. We are all excited; everybody in Kaduna State is excited about this great feat. This idea will bring peace to the region,” he stated.
Also, Gen Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) said it is one of the most fantastic days of joy for some of them who have retired from that geographical region of the country—Southern Kaduna.
He noted that the Southern Kaduna people had waited for a long time and had eventually gotten the best with a science-based university that would uplift the value of life in that area.
Others present at the meeting included a member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal constituency, Hon. Daniel Amos; former Supreme Court Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs; former Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab; Chief Anthony Hassan; member representing Jema’a State Constituency Ali Kalat; Dr Abdulamalik Durunguwa; Charity Shekari; Deborah Usman; Andrew Yakubu, among others.
