Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has said his decision to establish more universities was informed by the need to expand access to university education.
He stated this at a two-day retreat for the members of the Governing Council of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai at Maizube Farm Minna. He said the establishment of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna recently was not aimed at dismantling IBBU.
Bago represented by the permanent secretary Tertiary Education, Said Sirajo, reiterated that his government will continue to invest in IBBU to ensure that the institution trail the blaze in terms of providing quality university education.
In line with this vision, he disclosed that the government has ensured that the university commenced degree programmes in Medicine , Pharmaceutical Science and other related courses.
He said the government also commenced the establishment of IBBU Teaching Hospital in Minna for the commencement of Medicine programmes in the institution.
The chairman of the occasion and former minister of state Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zubairu Dada said that the link between the Gown and Town should be strengthened to the extent that the university runs programme that will add value to the society.
He suggested the Chinese formulae that emphasised on programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM for the university to produce employable graduates.
The pro-chancellor and chairman of the council of the University Prof Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah said the aim of the retreat was to bring all directors , deans and other stakeholders in the university for a comprehensive stock taking of the governance and service delivery for effective utilisation of human resources.
Also speaking the vice chancellor of the university Prof Mohammed Hadi Suleiman said he was confident that the collective ideas of the participants at the retreat would accentuate the distinctiveness of the university and reinforce the culture of excellence.
