NUC okays upgrade of Niger college of education to varsity

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the recognition of Niger State University of Education.

Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of the NUC, announced the upgrade during a visit of Mohammed Umar Bago, the Niger governor, to the headquarters of the commission in Abuja on Thursday.

Maiyaki said the institution initially secured conditional recognition as a university of education in 2013 but some of the conditions were never met by the successive administrations in Niger state, until Bago’s tenure.

He said with the new development, Niger State University of Education is now fully recognised as the 63rd state-owned university in Nigeria.

The acting NUC boss said the new university was approved following the presentation of relevant documents, including the university’s gazetted law, academic brief, and master plan.

He said the recognition of the university takes effect from Thursday, September 28, 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.

On his part, Bago said funding for the new university will not be a problem with the coming into force of education trust fund law in the state.

“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.