The state-owned Sa’adu Zungur University in Gadau, Bauchi, has a 2,000-seat Central Library Complex that was built by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at an expense of N1 billion.
It was formally opened for usage on Friday.Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the TETFund, conducted the official commissioning and announced that the project was approved under the Years 2017-2019 integrated yearly intervention.
The University has benefited from the Fund’s interventions since 2012, when it was first identified as a beneficiary of the Fund’s interventions, according to the TETFund ES, who was represented by Mr. Olajide Babatunde, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, TETFUND.
He stated, “From 2012 to date, TETFUND has allocated the sum of N17.3 billion for infrastructure-related interventions only, covering the Annual, Special High Impact, and Zonal interventions, among others.
”The ES added, “With about 97% of funds already accessed, we note with delight that these funds are being deployed judiciously in the provision of requisite facilities, which are obviously seen in various locations on the campus here.”
He gave his word that the fund would keep making sure its initiatives were maintained and enhanced so that government-owned tertiary institutions could take on significant projects that would increase their competitiveness on a worldwide scale.
Hon. Aliyu Misau, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on the TETFund, stated in his speech that the Fund had also provided N955 million to support 100 lecturers for Ph.D. programmes at both local and international universities.
Along with other measures, he mentioned that 143 professors had their Master’s degrees supported by both foreign and local institutions, totaling N359 million.
Prof. Fatima Tahir, the institution’s vice-chancellor, also spoke and praised TETFUND for the “milestone” contribution, noting that the project would help mould the institution’s future.
According to her, “We must acknowledge the vital role played by TETFUND in making this dream a tangible reality.”
Fatima Tahir stressed, “Their unwavering support, both financially and logistically, has ensured that we have the resources necessary to provide an exceptional learning experience for our students.”
The VC concluded, saying, “On behalf of our university, I extend our deepest gratitude to the federal government of Nigeria and to TETFUND for their commitment to education and for believing in the transformative power of knowledge.”