The Borno State government has received the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence academic activities in the state’s university.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Adamu Abubakar Rasheed, announced the approval before Governor Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
With the approval, the Borno State University will begin its academic session in January 2017, Daily Trust reports.
Governor Shettima was at the NUC on Monday alongside a delegation comprising senators, members of the House of Representatives and some 50 professors who hail from Borno State, among other stakeholders.
He told the NUC boss that the state government had recorded tremendous progress in physical development of the university as confirmed by assessment teams that visited the institution.
“In our first phase of physical development, we awarded contracts of N3.4 billion for construction of five faculties of Science, Social Science, Management Science, Arts and Education while we are putting in student hostels and other facilities,” he said.
“At full maturity, the university is expected to have 12 faculties, 77 departments, 281 undergraduates and school of post graduate studies as well as basic and remedial studies.
The Borno State University, according to him, has more than what it requires for takeoff by January, 2017.
“The state has “been taken 50 years backward, no thanks to the vicious Boko Haram we inherited in 2011.
“As we all know, hate for education is the fundamental principle of the Boko Haram. This explains why they focused so much attack on educational institutions,” he said.
He pledged to continuously invest in the education sector, saying, there is nothing like providing quality and affordable education to their teeming population of uneducated youths.
In his remark, Professor Rasheed said, “It is my honour and privilege to hereby present to His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima a letter of recognition by the NUC for the takeoff of Borno State University located in Maiduguri.
“This recognition will be communicated to JAMB, NYSC, TETFUND and all relevant stakeholders,” Professor Rasheed said.
