By Sulaiman Idris, Abuja
The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday approved the establishment of Zamfara State University as the 47th state university and 162 university in the country.
Abdlurasheed Abubakar, Executive Secretary of NUC who announced this in Abuja after receiving a letter of intent to establish the university presented to him by Abdulazeez Yari, Governor of Zamfara State said the Commission would support the university to have a smooth take off.
He said the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and NYSC should recognize the university.
Abubakar commended the Governor for earmarking N3 billion for the smooth take off of the university particularly in the areas of staff development, infrastructure and establishment fund.
“ 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
The NUC Executive Secretary said investment in higher education, educational growth and knowledge was becoming more important than the natural resources.
Speaking earlier, Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Zamfara State said the state government has every reasons to establish its own university noting that the struggle to have such institution was as old as the struggle for the creation of the state itself.
Yari said the establishment of the university would afford his state the opportunity to provide education for the teaming youths of the state and as well provide increased development in education.
He explained that courses to be offered by the university would cut across social and natural sciences to quickly address the manpower need of the country.
“We believe that university education should not be exclusive but be made accessible irrespective of individual social background.’’ He said
According to him, a 350 beds hospital is under construction, which will take off as a university teaching hospital.
