FG approves new state university in Benue

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (BSUAST), Ihugu, as a newly licensed State University in Nigeria.

With this addition, the total number of state universities now stands at 68, while there are 299 federal universities in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, presented the official licence to Benue’s Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Odeh, who was representing Governor Hyacinth Alia, during a ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Prof. Ribadu stated that this development increases the number of universities in Benue State to five.

He explained that this initiative is not only a demonstration of commitment to education but also shows a strong intention to widen access to high-quality university education throughout Nigeria.

According to the NUC chief, the launch of BSUAST represents one of the “bold and strategic moves that will undoubtedly empower the youth, develop the workforce and promote knowledge-driven development in the state.”

He urged officials of the state to recruit teachers, academic staff, and students who are ready to collaborate and help the university uphold top-tier technical education standards, outstanding research, and responsible governance.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this university does not only add the number of institutions in the country, but it stands out as a beacon of learning, character development and societal transformation,” he said.

He also added, “The National Office Commission will continue to provide the necessary guidance and support to ensure that you must have agricultural science and technology attains its full potential.”

In his remarks, the Governor gave his assurance that the state was fully committed to fulfilling the mission of the newly established university with utmost dedication.

He further pledged to the Commission that the state would soon provide all the essential facilities and systems necessary for the university to achieve academic excellence.

Highlighting agriculture as the state’s main economic sector and education as the second most significant activity for its citizens, the Governor explained that the creation of the new university was designed to meet the state’s agricultural demands by creating relevant academic programmes and initiatives.

“Today, agricultural production cannot be done without science, technology, and innovation. The purpose for this university is to streamline the course profile and have a university that will respond directly to the challenges of agricultural production.”

“The University of Agriculture, which is now the Joseph Tarka University of Agriculture, is a federal government-owned institution and so, as a state government, we don’t necessarily have control over the academic programmes.”

“But I will tell you that, for a state that has a population of over 7.5 million, with this movement, as I speak to you, we have students who desire to take a place in our universities, and they still cannot get admission. We don’t want that to continue to happen. So, this is the need for this particular university which we have created. It is going to respond directly to the needs of our people.”