President Bola Tinubu has urged Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf to address the ongoing land dispute between Bayero University Kano and the neighboring Rimin Zakara community by returning the land to the university.
The president made this appeal on Saturday during the 39th convocation ceremony of Bayero University in Kano, with the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmed, representing him.
President Tinubu called for swift action from the governor to resolve the issue by issuing the university’s title deed, emphasizing the importance of securing the university’s land.
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On infrastructure, the president acknowledged the absence of perimeter fencing at the university’s New Campus and assured that the Federal Government had allocated funds for the project.
“The Federal Government has already provided funding, and work is underway,” he stated, reiterating the administration’s commitment to enhancing university infrastructure nationwide.
He further mentioned the government’s support for research and infrastructure improvements through the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities Intervention and encouraged universities to collaborate with the private sector to complement these efforts.
Tinubu also urged Nigerian universities to integrate research into teaching and learning to foster a knowledge-driven society, highlighting the government’s focus on educational reforms.
The president emphasized that Nigeria’s future depended on developing quality human capital, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for national development.
He also mentioned the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), launched in July 2024, to provide financial aid for higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition.
Praising Bayero University for its success, Tinubu noted that it ranked sixth in Nigeria and first in international outlook in the 2025 Times Higher Education Global Ranking.
He also addressed the rising electricity tariffs impacting universities and assured that the government was working to stabilize the situation to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
Tinubu congratulated 3,400 postgraduate students on their achievements and 8,769 undergraduates who received their first degrees earlier in the week.
He also congratulated Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the newly appointed Chancellor of Bayero University, expressing confidence in his leadership.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sagir Abbas commended the president for establishing NELFund, which offers interest-free loans to assist students, easing the financial burden on families.
He also praised Tinubu for removing federal universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), restoring their autonomy in staff recruitment and payroll management.
“The removal of universities from IPPIS eliminates salary payment delays and enhances administrative efficiency. More importantly, it facilitates international collaborations and recruitment,” said Prof. Abbas.
However, he raised concerns about high electricity tariffs, noting that they consumed one-third of the university’s income, posing financial challenges.
