Zamfara gets NUC nod for 47th state university in Nigeria

Zamfara State University has been approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the 47th state university.

The institution also received a N3billion grant from the state government.

Abubakar Rasheed, the executive secretary, NUC, presented a letter of approval to the government of Zamfara state on Monday in Abuja.

Abubakar urged the government of Zamfara to take full advantage of the establishment of the university and contribute its quota to advance the course of education.

He then commended the governor for setting aside N3billion for specific use in staff development, establishment fund and laboratory equipment.

Abdulaziz Yari, Zamfara governor, said the event was historic as it would mark the beginning of the effort to make the state great, especially in education.

He said the government had set aside N3billion as take-off grant for the university.

“Out of this N3billion, N1billion will be for staff training, N1billion for establishment fund and the other N1billion for laboratory equipment,” he said.

“We believe that university education should not be exclusive but be made accessible irrespective of individual social background.”

According to him, this commitment is a good model that should be emulated by whoever wants to establish a university.

“I write on behalf of NUC that with effect from Monday, March 12, the Zamfara State University is approved as the 47th state university and also 162 universities in Nigeria.

“Zamfara is the last state to establish a university. But the establishment is apt when you will have to key into the reform programme the NUC is having now and will be of benefit to you.

“The NUC is looking at how we can be more effective in our regulation of all universities in Nigeria.”

He said JAMB, TETFund and NYSC had been notified of the establishment of the university.