NUC upgrades Sokoto college of education to varsity — first of its kind in the north

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has upgraded the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto to a university.

According to NAN, Rasheed Abubakar, executive secretary of the NUC, confirmed the upgrade in a letter addressed to the institution on Monday.

With the upgrade, the institution will now be known as the Shehu Shagari University of Education.

Abubakar said it has also raised the total number of varsities in the country to 206. He added that the institution would be the first university of education in the north and the fourth in the country.

“Upon your recent letter on March 4, I write on behalf of NUC with effect from Monday, March 21, 2022 to make Shehu Shagari University of Education recognised as the 58th state university and 206th university in the country,” he said.

“This university is the first university of education in the entire northern states and number four in the country.

“Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun as the first, Delta State University of Education, Lagos State University of Education and now the Shehu Shagari University of Education.”

Abubakar said that other education agencies such as JAMB, TETFund, and NYSC would be notified accordingly for the establishment of the new university.

In his remark, Aminu Tambuwal, the state governor, expressed gratitude to the NUC.

He also assured that his administration would abide by the rules and regulations governing the running of the public university as prescribed by the commission.

“We have been managing our resources as a state but we know how difficult it is to fund state university. I can say that certain things are in place . The university will generate revenue and also get subventions from state government. We shall continue to support them in this regards,” he said.

“I gave my commitment that we are going to comply with rules and regulations governing the running of the university.”

The governor said the varsity would focus on training manpower that would be self-reliant.