The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday granted approval for the take off of Borno State University, its Executive Secretary, Prof. Adamu Rasheed, has said.
Rasheed announced the approval while receiving Gov. Kashim Shettima, who led a delegation comprising Senators, members of House of Representatives, professors and other stakeholders to the NUC in Abuja.
Malam Isa Gusau, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Shettima, said this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Gusau said that with the approval the university was free to commence academic activities in the shortest possible time.
“With the approval, the Borno State University, a legacy of Shettima’s administration, is free to begin recruitment of staff and admission of students which the Borno Government is planning for January, 2017.”
He said that the visit followed last week’s inspection by the NUC technical team which visited the proposed site of the university in Maiduguri.
Gusau quoted Rasheed as saying that the approval was based on the level of commitment shown by the state government towards the take off of the university.
“It is my honour and privilege to hereby present to His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima a letter of recognition by the National Universities Commission for the take off of Borno State University located in Maiduguri.
“This recognition will be communicated to JAMB, NYSC, TETFUND and all relevant stakeholders,’’ he said.
Gusau said Shettima told the Executive Secretary that the state government has recorded tremendous progress in physical development of the university as confirmed by assessment teams that visited the campus.
“In our first phase of physical development, we awarded contracts of N3.4 billion for construction five faculties of Science, Social Science, Management Science, Arts and Education while we are putting in students’ hostels and other facilities.
“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.
“We have made giant progress and to quote some members of the NUC’s technical team that saw things for themselves.
“Many state universities took off with far less than what we have seen. The Borno State University has more than what it requires for take off by January, 2017,’’ he said.
The governor also explained that education has suffered setback in the state as result of severe attacks by Boko Haram.
