Posted by By Chinyere Amalu on
NATIONAL Universities Commission (NUC) yesterday formally recognized the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University Lapai in Niger State as the 25th state university and the 74th university in the Nigerian university system, just as the state have contributed about N2 billion for the implementation of the university project.
ABUJA - NATIONAL Universities Commission (NUC) yesterday formally recognized the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University Lapai in Niger State as the 25th state university and the 74th university in the Nigerian university system, just as the state have contributed about N2 billion for the implementation of the university project.
Presenting the instrument of the recognition to the Governor of Niger State Engineer Ahmed Kure, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola said that the commission has received the evidence in support of satisfying the criteria for the establishment of higher institutions including the law establishing the IBB university as passed by the Niger State House of Assembly and the Physical Master Plan.
According to Okebukola, "IBB University is planned to be a conventional university of moderate size to meet the development aspirations and challenges of Niger State in particular and the nation in general."
He noted the institution''s development is to span three phases; the first phase covers the period 2006 to 2011, the second phase covers 2011 to 2016, while the third phase will run between 2016 to 2020.
"The university is scheduled to take-off in October 2006. During the first phase, faculties to be established include; agriculture; applied and natural sciences; and management and social sciences", he said, adding, "the Niger State Government is aware of the funding implication of the project. Between March and August 2005, both the state and its component local governments have contributed N1.818 billion. In addition, the State government has acquired and fully paid the necessary compensation for the 689-hectare land in Lapai local; government as well as donated other facilities with current forced value of about N105 million to the evaluation and implementation committee (EAIC) to serve as the university guest house."
He however pointed out that the next steps will be resources assessment before formal approval by the Federal Government for the university to enroll its first set of students, followed by accreditations of programme two years after take-off.